Edison Microfilm Reel 278

CENTIMETERS

Compilation © 2007 LexisNexis Academic & Library Solutions,
a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A SELECTIVE MICROFILM EDITION
PARTY
(1911-1919)

Thomas E. Jeffrey
Senior Editor

Brian C. Shipley
Theresa M. Collins
Linda E. Endersby
Editors

David A. Ranzan
Indexing Editor

Janette Pardo
Richard Mizelle
Peter Mikulas
Indexers

Paul B. Israel
Director and General Editor

Sponsors

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Edison signature used with permission of McGraw-Gdison Company

Thomas A. Edison Papers

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
endorsed by

National Historical Publications and Records Commission
18 June 1981

Copyright © 2007 by Rutgers, The State University

All rights reserved. No part of this publication including any portion of the guide and
index or of the microfilm may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form by any means — graphic, electronic, mechanical, or chemical, including photocopying,
recording or taping, or information storage and retrieval systems— without written permission of
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

The original documents in this edition arc from the archives at the Edison National
Historic Site at West Orange, New Jersey.

ISBN 978-0-88692-887-2

THOMAS A. EDISON PAPERS STAFF (2007)

Director and General Editor
Paul Israel

Senior Editor
Thomas Jeffrey

Associate Editors
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Theresa Collins

Assistant Editor
David Hochfelder

Indexing Editor
David Ranzan

Consulting Editor
Linda Endcrsby

Visiting Editor
Amy Flanders

Editorial Assistants
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Outreach and Development
(Edison Across the Curriculum)

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EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2007)

Robert Friedel, University of Maryland
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FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS

We thankfully acknowledge the vision and support of Rutgers University and the
Thomas A. Edison Papers Board of Sponsors.

This edition was made possible by grant funds provided from the New Jersey Historical
Commission, National Historical Publications and Records Commission, and The National
Endowment for the Humanities. Major underwriting has been provided by the Barkley Fund,
through the National Trust for the Humanities, and by The Charles Edison Foundation.

We are grateful for the generous support of the IEEE Foundation, the Hyde & Watson
Foundation, the Martinson Family Foundation, and the OE Foundation. We acknowledge gifts
from many other individuals, as well as an anonymous donor; the Association of Edison
Illuminating Companies; and the Edison Electric Institute. For the assistance of all these
organizations and individuals, as well as for the indispensable aid of archivists, librarians,
scholars, and collectors, the editors arc most grateful.

A Note on the Sources
The pages which have been
filmed are the best copies
available. Every technical
effort possible has been
made to ensure legibility.

PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM
COPYING RESTRICTIONS

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In lieu of transcripts, however,
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SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SERIES

Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime
Research Papers

Chemical Production Records

Special Collections Series

Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers

These papers deal with two aspects of Edison's work during i World War I:
his role as chairman (later president) of the Naval Consulting Board (NCB),
beginning in 1 91 5; and his personal experimental workforce U.S. Navy and U.S.
Army, which began early in 1917 and took up much of his time until the end of the
war. Although these two functions were not formally retested, they often
overlapped, and documents concerning both the NCB and Edison s personal
research appear in this record group.

The NCB was created in July 1915 as the result of discussions between
Edison and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels, with the advice of Miller
Reese Hutchison, Edison’s chief engineer and personal representa ive. The
Board's membership, confirmed at its first meeting in October 1 91 5, included two
representatives from each of the eleven professional engineering societies as
well as Edison and Hutchison. The NCB was organized into technical comm ttees
on various subjects, with a view to industrial preparedness should the United
States be drawn into the European war.

One of the Board’s initial responsibilities was to evaluate suggestions for
inventions from the public, which quickly became a huge a"d.es^rlt|lftJiyn ^'t'e^
task The NCB operated in a purely advisory capacity until it was authorized by
Congress in August 1916, after which it began to plan for its own research
laboratory. Although frequently discussed, the laboratory was not bulk unt well
after the war due to fundamental disagreements between Edison and the younger
generation of researchers about how technological research shou d be
conducted. Edison insisted that a large industrial workshop near New York City
was required, while others believed that a facility for research in basic science,
neargovernment and military headquarters in Washington, would be moreuseful.
With the U.S. entry into the war in April 1917, the Board s attention shifted to the
more immediate problem of defense against German submarines.

Edison's role on the NCB had always been largely ceremonial with the
administrative work carried out by first vice chairman William L- Saunders and
secretary Thomas Robins. Beginning in 1917, however, Ed'son devoted ^most
all of his time to a variety of research projects that he conducted both i pers y

and with the assistance of experimenters working at various locations in New
Jersey on Long Island, and later at Key West. His results and expenses were
reported to Secretary Daniels, but to Edison's disappointment the Navy dechned
to take up any of his inventions and by October 1919 the government had
stopped funding his military research.

The folders contain documents on three distinct subjects, in varying
proportions according to the year: unsolicited letters from the general public;
correspondence relating to the business of the NCB; and communications among
Edison, his experimental staff, Naval officers, government officials, and private
companies, relating to his personal research projects. The folders for 1919-1920
also contain correspondence with Capt. Lloyd N. Scott and others pertaining to
Scott's official history, Naval Consulting Board of the United States (Washington,
D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1920).

Approximately 25 percent of the documents have been selected, including
ail items pertaining directly to Edison. Routine documents sent to Edison as an
official of the NCB have not been selected. Also unselected are the vast majority
of war invention ideas submitted by the public, few of which received a substantive
reply. More specific selection statements can be found in the editorial descriptions
preceding each folder.

Material pertaining to the experiments discussed in these documents can
also be found in the Notebook Series: (1) Notebooks by Edison, N-17-01-20
through N-1 8-07-1 8.2 and N-18-1 1-03; (2) Notebooks by Edison and Other
Experimenters— Navy and Wartime Research Experiments; and (3) Notebooks by
Experimenters Other Than Edison— Navy and Wartime Research Experiments.
Correspondence and other documents similar to those in the Naval Consulting
Board Papers can be found in the Edison General File for 1915-1919 in "Advice/
"Naval Consulting Board," "Naval Experiments,” "Radio," "Roosevelt, Franklin D,"
"World War I— Experimental Work," and other folders for these years. Additional
correspondence between Edison and Daniels can be found in the Josephus
Daniels Papers, Charles Hummel Collection, Thomas A. Edison Papers Digital
Edition, XI 28C. A scrapbook of newspaper clippings (Cat. 44,452) relating to the
NCB and the war generally can be found in the Scrapbook Series.

The documents appear on the microfilm in the following order:

Correspondence (1915)

Subjects (1915)

Range and Direction Finders
Correspondence (1916)

Subjects (1916)

Form Letters
Ship Equipment
Correspondence (1917)

Subjects (1917)

Applications for Employment
Breathing Apparatus
Direction Finder
Experiments

Ship Reports (Anthracite Tests)

Ship Sinkings

Underwater Sound Detection Reports
Correspondence (1918)

Subjects (1918)

Daylight Illumination Experiments
Experiments

Jones Point Experimental Laboratory (1918)
Ships and Coal

Vickers Machine Gun and Ammunition Feeder
Correspondence (1919)

Subjects (1919)

Experiments
Correspondence (1920)

Correspondence (1921)

Correspondence (1922)

Correspondence (1930)

A Note on Arrangement

The archival record group at the Edison National Historic Site contains two
series: a main run of general correspondence organized chronologically from 1915
through 1930 (boxes 1-20); and a smaller collection of subject folders (boxes 21-
24) containing additional correspondence along with test reports, experimental
notes, printed material, and other documents. Although the names of the folders
in the archival record group reflect the original subject headings created by Edison
and his secretaries, these names are occasionally misleading and many of the
items within the folders do not fall under the stated subject. In addition, documents
about a particular subject are sometimes scattered among several subject folders
and related material can often be found as well in the general correspondence
folders.

For these reasons, many of the documents selected for publication from the
subject folders have been arranged with the general correspondence. In other
cases, where information would be lost by separating the selected and unselected
material, the selected items have been retained in their subject folders. However,
closely related documents found in multiple subject folders have been
consolidated into one folder. In some cases, the folder titles have been modified
slightly in the editorial arrangement in orderto differentiate between the vague and
repetitive names originally given to them. In addition, subject folders for each year
appear in the editorial arrangement immediately following the general
correspondence for that year. It should be noted that there is still considerable
overlap between the material in the subject and general correspondence folders,
and both should be used in conjunction.

Numerous subject folders consisting entirely of documents unrelated to
Edison have not been selected. A list of these folders appears below. In addition,
several boxes in the archival record group have not been selected: boxes 25-27
(War Dept. Ordnance Bulletins and other printed material); box 28 (photocopies
of correspondence owned by Charles Hummel; see Thomas A. Edison Papers
Digital Edition, X128C); box 29 (photocopies of original documents filed elsewhere
in the record group); and oversize material. A finding aid for the record group is
available at the Edison National Historic Site.

Subject Folders Not Selected

Adapter Plugs

Correspondence — Undated, unsigned .

Edison's War Work [typescript draft of Chap. 1 1 of the Scott volume]

Envelopes
Gun Belts

Haines, G. B. — Correspondence

Helicopter

Lab Site

Life Boats and Life Saving Apparatus

NCB Members and Rules

Naval Research Report by Comdr. S.C. McDowell

Opinions of the Members Towards the Future of the Board [minutes of 1919
meeting, 58 pp] . . , , t

Paul D. Payne— Correspondence with and about „

"Proving Grounds, Mathematician, Sub Defense Association, and Sachem

Pumps

Reports

Reports— Kennedy
Rubber Belts

Sandy Hook and Environs
Sound Apparatus
Sperry Gyroscope Company
Submarine Detectors

Warner, S. G— Correspondence with and about

Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1915)

This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to
Edison's role as chairman of the newly established Naval Consulting Board.
The correspondents include Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels,
Edison's chief engineer and personal representative Miller Reese Hutchison,
and other members of the Board, particularly chemist Leo H. Baekeland and
enqineer Willis R. Whitney. Included are items pertaining to the Board s
establishment and early meetings, the appointment of its members from
various technical societies, the formation of committees, and the resignat on
of Henry A. W. Wood in December as a result of his disagreement with the
defense policies of the Wilson Administration. There is also material regarding
the proposed naval research laboratory, including Edison’s personal notes on
its desired specifications and a 16-page memorandum by Whitney. Among
the technical subjects discussed in the documents are the erosion of rifled
barrels in heavy artillery, the development of a wire cutting projectile, and he
absorption of hydrogen gas emissions in submarines. There are * a so
numerous unsolicited letters from the general public about war-related
inventions, a small number of which received substantive replies from Edison.

Approximately 30 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items consist primarily of unsolicited letters relating jo the jar and
ideas for weapons; standard replies from Edison s secretaries stating ‘hat any
inventions submitted would be forwarded to Board secretary Thomas Robins,
and routine correspondence between Robins and Edison's personal assistant
William H. Meadowcroft, regarding the transmittal and receipt of such
materials. Other unselected documents include routine administrative and
organizational papers circulated to Board members and an essay on the
proposed naval research laboratory by Reginald E. Gillmor.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

July 7, 1915.

^ Yl oXt V wj-CCSa

(.vtwH u&tvCv

Hon. ThomaB A.Edison,

East Orange, N.J.

Dear f^disoiu intending fQr some time to write you ex¬
tras sinp mv admiration at the splendid and patriotic
Ittitudl you h£ve tiken, as reported in the public press,
in refusing to devote your great inventive genius to
warlike subjects except at the call of your own country.

Such an attitude, in these all too commercial times, is
one that should be an inspiration to our young men and a
__n in the ■oreeminent right of onefs own country to
the heat that Its citizens have that will he o£ tremendous

asss ess *»™ stss

arsrass.’“ ss*s
SsFi&svs ssst
dkse s

natural inventive genius of Americans to meet ^enew
conditions of warfare as Bhown abroad, and it is my
i n+ention if a practical way can be worked out, asi
think it can be, to establish.at the earliest moment a
department of invention and development, to which all

Irri

sent them for the careful study required. In addition,

br»5K^ s « assrss z^^sr

nor, in many caaes, the natural inventive turn of mind
needed to put these ideas into definite shape. Were there
a place where they could he sent to he worked out and
perfected, I am sure we would get many noteworthy im¬
provements from this source alone. We have, of course,
in the Navy Department energetic and wideawake bureaus,
headed hy experts in their particular lines of work who
devote all the time they possibly can to a study of this
problem. They have made important contributions to the
improvements in the implements of naval warfare and are
dding all that is possible with their other large duties.
There are, unfortunately, no officers now detailed who
can take time from the mass of work which they are called
upon to do in order to devote it fully to studying new
suggestions and inventions. The Department is also un¬
provided with the best facilities for work of pure
experimentation and investigation, with the exception of
our testing station at Annapolis, which is, as yet, a
small affair. Most of all, as I have said, there is no
particular place or particular body of men, relieved of
other work, charged solely with the duty of either
devising new things themselves or perfecting the crude
ideas that are submitted to the Department by our natur¬
ally inventive people.

I have in mind a general plan of organizing such a
department which is still very hazy as to detailB but
which, in a general way, meets, so far as the Navy is con¬
cerned, with your ideas of such a department for the
Government in general. I want to use such facilities
for experimental and investigation work as we have, under
the direction of men particularly selected for ability
shown in this direction, to whom would be referred all
suggestions of new devices sent in to the Department and
who would work out such ideas to a practical point. Such
a department will, of course, have to be eventually sup¬
ported by Congress, with sufficient appropriations made
for its proper development, although I feel that we can
make a start with the means at hand. To get this
support. Congress must be made to feel that the idea is
supported by the people, and X feel that our ohanoes of
getting the public interested and back of this projeot
will be enormously increased if we can have, at the start,
some man whose inventive genius is recognized by the whole
world to assist us in consultation from time to time on

matters of sufficient importance to bring to his attention.
You are recognized by all of us as the one man above all
others who oan turn dreams into realities and who has at
his command, in addition to his own wonderful mind, the
finest facilities in the world for such work.

What I want to ask is if you would he willing, as a
sertfice to your country, to aot as an adviser to this
hoard, to take such things as seem to you to he of value
hut whioh we are not, at present, equipped to investigate,
and to use your own magnificent facilities in such investi¬
gation if you feel it worth while. For our part, we will
endeavor not to bother you with trivial matters as we will
prohahly have sufficient facilities to handle such small
matters as they come up. This is a great deal to ask and
I unfortunately, have nothing hut the thanks of the Navy
and, I think, of the country at large, together with the
feeling of service to your country that you will have, to
offer you hy way of recompense; yet, so clearly have you
shown your patriotism and your unselfish loyalty to your
country’s interests, that I feel Justified in making this

request. a^e oonfrontea wittL a new and terrible engine of
warfare in the submarine, to consider only one of the big
things which 1 have in mind, and I feel sure that, with
the practical knowledge of the officers of the Navy with
a Department composed of the keenest and most inventive
minds that we can gather together, and with your own
wonderful brain to aid us, the United States will be able,
as in the past, to meet this new danger with new devices
that will assure peace to our country hy their effectiveness.

If you feel that you would he willing to do this, I
would like, a little later, when my plans are somewhat more
matured, to consult with you as to the details of the
organization proposed so that I oan make it as effective
as possible for the purpose intended.

With you, it might he well to associate a few men
prominent in special lineB of inventive researoh, and I
would like also to consult with you as to who these men
should he. It is, of course, your aid that I rely upon
most and if you are not able, for any reason to do this,

I will frankly hesitate to undertake the matter at aix.
Should you feel like accepting the task, however, I know
the relief which the country would feel in these trying

times at the announcement that you are aiding us in this
all important matter.

If you couia let me know as early as you may how you
feel about this, I wouia appreciate it, as everything waits
upon your answer, and I think we cannot he too expeditious
if we are going to take this matter up at all.

Sincerely yours.

July 11, 1916.

Mr. Edison:

I have been attJAgg-'automohileB for fifteen years,
and am what might he considered an expert driver. Yet, when
I take hold of a new oar, it takes several dayB and sometimes
a week to so master its idiosynoraoies as to he able to get
the host there is in it out of it.

!o build warships, submarines , eto. , and thei put
thorn away until needed, will he very impraotioahle, for the
reason that men in command of these boats and the men
operating turrets, eto. have to keep oontainually at it, in
order that they may remain proficient. When Daniels took
hold of the Jtfavy at the beginning of his regime, and out out
battle practice the ensuing low grade of morkmanship
attested the point I am raising. Whereas, under the former
Administration, target praotloo was adhered to, this Havy in
the course of ten or twelve years gradually ollmbed to the top
of markmonship. Ewo years of comparative idleness dropped us
way below fourth place.

1 mention the above, because I have heard a great
deal of adverse oritioism from Havol Offioors regarding your
interview with Edward Marshall, advocating building boats and
then putting them awey for use. At the Brooklyn Havy Yard,
they all say they are sorry that you advanced this suggestion.

■because it is sure to lessen the confidence of Haval OffioOrs
in the practicability , of the storage battery $$kil it is
proved out. Hon they accept your statement that the battery
is practical, at full valuo, and have advised accordingly.
Those who know still have the same idea, but it has been
suggested to mo that I ask you to be very careful about
interviews of national preparedness, etc.

A. battleship or submarine must be kept in eo.v$iA*a'nn
and hard at it all the time, to enable thoir crows to obtain
such proficiency as will enable then to handlo thoso boats
properly in an engagement. It requires skill the equal of
that possessed by the slight^flsand performer or the expert
musician, both of whom have to practice all the time to keep
their hands in.

HUTCH.

hlO ll/'rT PMO-jw/o

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//AVA t~ C0/VSVl~T->A*a
4&A&0

22 WILL AID EDISON
ONTHEMYALBOARD

Among tlio Members Arc Peter
Cooper Hewitt, F. 3. Sprague
and Hudson Maxim.

FIE ST MEETING OCT. 6

SEPTEMBER 13, 1915.

\22 WILL AID EDISON |

ON THE NAVAL BOARD

Daniels Announces the Names

Randolph, Vermont, Oct. 1st, 1915,

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Washington,

E. C.

Dear Sir:

Through .hot I haw learned **«* “ fti,na, “

, eoraetime on ..ploy* of your. In not "ange, 01

millingneee to listen to the inventor of .«r «»a ”■»”>

thing, 1 am emboldened to .rite yon o.no.rnlng « device -hick
! fool sure .ill prove effio.oion. for the Oe.tructi.n of barbed
„ir, entanglements , which in thi. unprecedented »r hove proven
the cause of such frightful slaughter.

Their destruction hy shell-fire is enormously costly, slow,

and generally incomplete.

16, device oonoi.t. in « projectile cf .i»pl. ■

which ot any point in if flight thro., wide open he.v. Mod.,
or flukeo .1th cutting fee... having a .pre.d when opened of
four feet or more. *h.ae «>*>., *»

the perimeter of the projectile Bllghtly, and being given
o'ff set or fiat, they c.rre.pond to the rifling of the gun, »
. enourihg . head-on flight, Booh di.ch.rg, of thi. projectile
egein.t the thick... of wire entanglement, can hardly fail t.
open wide gaps .

I am most anxious to show my invention to an ordnance exp

(2)

tut am unacquainted with anyone in that arm of the service.

So convinced am I of the practicability and efficiency of
thie device that 1 wish to show it without delay to the proper
officers of that department of our military establishment, and
would Willingly go to Washington for that purpose. Having,
however, unbounded faith in your judgement I should be grateful
if you would kindly consent to give me an interview first .

you are, no doubt, hourly besieged by appeals like this from
inventors of everything, from perpetual motion to egg beaters,
hut dare to hope you will not consider me in that class.

por reference, 1 respectfully give you Senator Carroll S.
p0ge j or Senator Dillingham, of Vermont, or Hon. James Y.Dubor,

former Minister to Colombia .

Hoping for an early reply, I am, dear Sir,

Yours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Doc • 23rd. 1913..

Mr,. William S. Crane,

Randolph, Vermont.

Dear Sirs

Your favor of October 1st has reached Mr. Edison with¬
in the last day or two , having been addressed to him at Washing¬
ton, which was incorrect.

He requests us to say to you in reply that your scheme
could be demonstrated by using a pistol and making an actual trial.
There is very little doubt that it will work, but an experiment
on a small scale is more convincing than any amount of writing •

He suggests that you try the experiment and let him know
the result.

tours very truly,

Edison laboratory.

date October 5th-1915.

Mr. ThomaB A. Edison* subject Re-Experimental Absorp¬

tion of Hydrogen.

Edison Laboratory,

Orange ,11 . J .

Dear Mr .Edison:-

Following is a report made by our
laboratory covering experiments on the absorption of hydro¬
gen by different ohemioals. None seem to be of any
particular value.

Kindly advise what you wish done further

in regard to the matter.

Pate - 9-15-15.

The Orsat apparatus was used in all parte of this experiment
The hydrogen was obtained from #7 Building. Each part of t
experiment was repeated to check.

i A® v TjnO i e 15 {trams C.P. KpHnOd in 150 co. distilled
water. ^ 1§0 ocl Hydroge/taken into Orsat and passed into per¬
manganate solution three times. There was no absorption.

K HnO/ i.e. 30 grams C.P. KMnOd in 150 oo. distilled
water/' 1<§0 ocl Hydrogen taken into §rsat apparatus and passed
into permanganate solution 3 times. There was no absorp

Same as the preoeding.only substituting crude oil for the
permanganate. No absorption.

Same as the preoeding.only substituting acid ferric chloride
No. Absorption.

Same as the preceding, only substituting raw linseed oil for
the other absorbents. No absorption.

Mr. Thomas. A. Edison -2- 10/5/15

Experimental Absorption
of Hydrogen.

AsbestoB fibre was boiled in ferrous sulfate solution
until v/ell saturated. It v/as then roasted to completely
convert the HeS047H20 into red iron. This in turn waB
reduced by Hydrogen. By this process ironized asbestos was
obtained. This showed a small amount of absorption when
warm, but due to the Hydrogen held by reduction, the Hydrogen
occluded was small.

Very truly yours,
BDISOH CHEMICAL WORKS

csXoeyt-C^Ci

-jjCL

. . f -y-— . *132 NASSAU STREET

- /Lx U —

\ ] Octgbar 19, 1915.

Ki.„ »,.

*«* 0rTlt£!^^

r:‘ pn<M/‘‘:4.

Parhaps you will b^'inltr^tadin kfiofdnctho character of ojrae of

=■ “** ■*> *'■“■ “jjBP-' v^r' z£££e"X7m' /

hall relate tho followiV^fiur.^nco^tollt , however, in any way \fi.shingy
it construed as a criticism of any parson or parsons.

A number of yoars ago I designed an apparatus for taking soundings,
t would produca a raady, continuous profila of tho bottom instoau of ca¬

ll a chaap apparatus conBtructoa

actually did tha work expected o

and provad clumsay in othar ways. Bsing axhaustad financially I mada improva-
mants on papar only and laid tha plans aside. Later my friana and client, Sanato
Malson W. Aldrich, whan told about it, bacama interested and volunteered to gat
ma an appropriation for axparimantal purposas, proviuad tho Chief of Engineers

ganorally favorabla, and subsaquantly tha Chief of Engineers sxaminad t
carafully and gava tha following verdict: If tha apparatus will work ax
you expact it to do, of which I hava not tha slightast doubt, than the
my assistants who gats hold of it will try it and place it in tha roar

b it would maka a numbar of araployaas suparfluous.

With doep admiration of tho General* s frankness I gavo up

BAEKELAND YONKERS

YONKERS.

Y....0ct SI, 1915.

IN ANSWER

Absorption of Hydrogen.

Ur. William H. Meadowcroft,

Assistant to Ur. Edison,

Orange, H. J.

Dear Sir:-

The note of Ur. Edison/fn relation to the absorp¬
tion of hydrogen, has my full/at tent ion. The problem, how¬
ever, is not an easy one. / In Niagara Falls, tw.e have to
dispose every twenty- four hours of one ton of hydrogen gas.
But this offers no sepious problem, on account of the
exceptionally high ascensional force. of hydrogen.

By the timsUr. Edison comes back, I shall be
able to go into this question with more detail.

Very truly yours.

THE SECRETARY OE THE HAVE
Washington

Ootoher 26, 1915,

Mr. Thomas Ho "bins,

12 Park How,

How York City.

My Hear Mr. Robins:

Ab there seems to be some doubt ns to
the status of Dr. H. H. Hntohlson in oonneotlon
with the Havy Consulting Board, I take pleasure
in informing you that the appointment of Dr.

Hutohi son as Assistant to the Chairman, carried
with it appointment to full membership of the
Board.

Very sinoerely yours,

(signed) Josephus Daniels

HAVA1 00H3U1TIH6 BOA HP OP THE UHITED STATES

Addloks, Lawrenoe
Baekeland, Dr. 1. H.

Coffin, Howard B.

Craven, Alfred

Bdi8on, Thomae A.

Emmet, William Le Hoy

Hewitt, Dr. Peter Cooper

Hunt, Andrew Hurray
Hutohison, H. H.

Maxim, Hudson
Miller, Spenoer

RiohardB, Prof. Jos. W.
Hiker, Andrew 1.

Ho tine, ThomaB

Saunders, W. I.

Sellers, Matthew Baoon
Sperry, Elmer A.
Sprague, Prank 3.

Thayer, Benjamin B.

Webster, Dr. Arthur 0.
Whitney, Dr. W. R.

Wood, Henry A. W.
Woodward, Dr. Robert S.

Room 2, 126 liberty St., H. Y. City.

"Snug Hook", Harmony Park, Yonkers, H. Y.

oare Hudson Motor Oar Co., Detroit, Mioh.
154 Eassau Street, H. Y. Oity.

Orange, Hew Jersey.

oare General Eleotrio Co., Soheneotady B.Y.

MadiBon Square Garden Tower, 26th Street,

E. Y. City.

55 liberty Street, K. Y. Oity.
oare laboratory of Thos. A. Edison,

Orange, H. 3.

Chief Engineer, Westinghouse Eleotrio &
Ufg. Co. , East Pittsburgh, Pa.

698 St. Marks Ave. , Brooklyn, K. Y.

96 liberty Street, B. Y. Oity.

lehigh University, South Bethlehem, Pa.
oare locomobile Co. of Amerioa,
Bridgeport, Conn.

13 Park How, H. Y. City.

11 Broadway, H. Y. City.

801 H. Arlington Ave. . Baltimore, Md.
126 Eassau street, Brooklyn, H. Y.
Hoorn 1417, 165 Broadway, H. Y. City.

42 Broadway, H. Y. City.

Clark University, Worcester, Mass.

oare General Eleotrio Co., soheneotady B.Y.

26 Madison Ave. , H. Y. City.

Oarnegie Institution of Washington,
Washington, D. 0.

Offioers

Chairman . Thomas A. EdiBon

Pirst Vioe-Ohairman / . . Dr. Peter Cooper Hewitt

Seoond Vice-Chairman . W. I. Saunders

Seoretary . . IhomaB Robins

That subject to the confirmation by the entire Board,
the appointments to the various Committees are as follows:

(I) Chemistry and phyBlOB:

(5) Aeronautics, including

aero motorB;

(3) Internal combustion

motorB:

(4) Electricity:

(6) MlneB and torpedoes:

(6) Submarines:

(7) Ordnanoe and explosives:

(8) WirelssB and

communications :

(9) Transportation:

(10) Broduotion, manufacture

and standardisation:

(II) Ship oonstruotlon:

(18) Steam engineering and
ship propulsion:

(13) life saving appliances:

(14) Aids to navigation:

(16) Food and sanitation;

Addioks, Baekeland,
Riohards, sellers, Webster,
Whitney, Woodward

Coffin, Hewitt, Hiker,
Sellers, Sperry., Webster,
Wood

Coffin, Biker, Sellers,
Sperry

Addioks, Emmet, Hewitt,
Lamrae, Sprague, Webster

Baekeland, Maxim, Sperry

Emmet, Hunt, Saunders,
Sprague

Baekeland, Hunt, Maxim,
Sprague, Whitney, Woodward

Hewitt, Webster, Whitney

Coffin, Craven, Miller,
Hiker, Hoblns, Saunders,
Thayer .

Addioks, Coffin, Emmet,
Lamms, Robins, Saunders,
Thayer

Miller, Richards, Sprague,
Wood

Emmet, Hunt, Lammo,
RiohardB, Sellers

Maxim, Miller, Hoblns

Oraven, Hunt, Sperry,

Wood, Woodward

Baekeland, Maxim, Thayer,
Whitney, Woodward.

Thomas Hoblns, SE0HETAH7.

naval consulting BOARD

;V; H 1 'V : ■ . '• ■ •’ ) '.7'

Same of member

Appointed to following Committees:

V; Addicks

Chemistry & physios, Eleotrioity,

Production, manufacture & standardization.

Baekeland

Chemistry & physios, Mines & torpedoes,

Ordnanoe & explosives, Pood & sanitation.

Coffin

' Aeronautios, inoludlng aero motors.

Internal oombustion motors, Transportation, ■ _

Production, manufacture & standardization.

Craven

Transportation, Aids to navigation.

Edison

Ex-offioio member of all Committees.

; ' ■ Emmet

Eleotrioity, Submarines, Produotion,

manufacture & standardization. Steam

engineering & ship propulsion.

Hewitt

Aeronautios, inoludlng aero motorB,

Eleotrioity, Wireless & oommunloations.. ^

Hunt

Submarines, Ordnanoe & explosives, .7-

Steam engineering & Bhip propulsion.

Aids to navigation.

lamme

Eleotrioity, Produotion, manufacturing &

standardization, steam engineering &

ship propulBion.

Maxim

Mines & torpedoes, ’Ordnanoe & explosives, .

Life saving applianoes, Food & sanitation.

r Miller

Transportation, Ship oonstruotion, life

saving applianoes.

r Hiohsrds

Chemistry & physio 8, Ship oonBtruotion,

Steam engineering & ship propulBion.

Hiker

Aeronautios, inoludlng aero motors, . -•

Internal oombustion motors. Transportation,

Steam engineering & ship propulsion.

Eobins

Transportation, Produotion, manufacture &

standardization, life saving applianoes.

: " Saunders

Submarines, Transportation, Produotion,

manufacture & standardization.

Sellers

Chemistry & physioB, Aeronautios, inoludlng

aero motors, Internal oombustion motors, ■;

Steam engineering & Bhip propulBion.

. (1) i

Hama of member

Sperry

Aeronautic 8, inoiuding aero aotorB,

Internal oombustion aotorB, Mines &

torpedoes, . Aide to navigation.

Sprague

Electricity, Submarines, Ordnance &

explosives, Ship oonstruotion.

Thayer

Transportation, Produotion, manufacture t>

standardization. Food and sanitation.

Webster

Chemistry & physios. Aeronautics,

inoiuding aero motors, Eleotrloity,

Wireless & communications.

Whitney

Chemistry & physios, Ordnanoe & explosives,

Wireless & oommunioationB, ; Food &
sanitation.

Wood

Aeronautlos , aeri, ’ shil>

construction, . Aide zo navigation.

Woodward

Chemistry & physios, Ordnanoe & explosives,

Aids to navigation. Food & sanitation.

(Vioe-Chairmen Hewitt and Saunders are ex-offiolo .members of other

than their

apeoial Committees)

— . ,

V 1

Bov. 11th. 1915.

Mr. Otto Sonne,

132 Ilassau Street,

Hew York City.

Dear Sir:

I am in receipt of your favor of the
19th ultimo, which has been brought to my atten¬
tion on my return from California.

If you will send ms your plans I will
see that before they can be side-tracked, some
authorized person Bhall give a good explanation
for that action, providing, of course, that the
Havy wants a device of the kind you mention.

Yours very truly.

DR. L. H. BAEKELAND

RESEARCH CREMIST

Cable address: BAEKELAND YONKERS

YONKERS. N. Y . .NflY.s-l.5j ..1916a .

IN ANSWER TO YOUR LETTER OF

subject: Hydrogen Absorption for Storage Batteries.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison, Chairman
Naval Consulting Board,

. ..Orange, N. J. •

My dear Mr. Edioon:-

Bofore you left for the Pacific Coast,
vou were kind enough to send a note to me on the desirabil¬
ity of finding a practical way for absorbing hydrogen from
the air in submarines.

I note what you say about the possibility of
absorbing by permanganate and also your suggestion of util¬
izing the law of Graham, relative to thediffuaionofsases,
for eliminating the hydrogen through unglazed porcelain.

it occurs to me that the latter method may cease
to work as soon as the porcelain loses ,,

account of the fact of it becoming wet. In Niagara Falls,
at the Hooker Electrochemical Company, we have to. dispose
of a ton of hydrogen gas per day. Up till now, we ^avenot
utilized this hydrogen and simply let it eBCaP® * °°^noed
of the possible danger of such large amounts of hydrogen,

I requested our chemists to make some experiments i
determine the proportion of hydrogen in the air at different
points of the cell -rooms, which are made of reinforced con¬
crete. Without going into the details of. the analytical
results, I might state that I was very much impressed by
the rapidity with which this hydrogen ascends and mines
with the air. Quite close to the orifices of. the cells,
we find almost pure hydrogen. A few inches above, the hydro¬
gen contents of the air have become very Bmall, and near the
ceiling-.of the building, the amount of hydrogen is negligible.

Of course, in a submarine, conditions are
different, beoause there, the hydrogen cannot escape_ through
wide ventilators. But in the instance of Niagara Falls, I

am impressed -with the .fact of the considerable ascensional
force of the hydrogen, which in the case of a submarine,^
ought to make it possible to collect the Sas “of a*7

constructed hoods and expel it mechanically by J? n fhg
rotary pump or blower. The latter could be used when the
vessel is not submerged, while -the rotary pump might be
neoessary when the vessel is under pressure.

cnrs*—

BAEKELAND

Mr. Edison.... #3. Hov. 15, 3s IB.

Instead of using a hood for collecting the hydrogen,
it might be much simpler to conduct the gas through special
piping, from where it could be disposed of further by means
of pumps or other suitable devices.

Elimination by mechanical means seems to me prefer¬
able and more reliable than chemical absorption or combustion.
In the latter case, there is always the possibility of an
explosion in case something goes wrong. Furthermore, combus¬
tion means reduction of the amount of oxygen available in the
air, which is another consideration in the case of a submerged
vessel .

I discussed the matter with my friend, Mr. Clinton
Paul Tov/nsend, of 918 F Street, Washington, D. C., who wrote
me the following :-

"Fou are undoubtedly familiar with the
J&ger method for the quantitative determination of
hydrogen in presence of .other gases, as described
for example in the Journal of the Society of Chemi¬
cal Industry, December SI, 1898, page 1190, and
(Uhlig's Modification) February 38, 1910, page 196.
These melfa ode depend on the fact that copper oxid
will oxidize even small traces of hydrogen at rela¬
tively low temperatures (350° C.}.

This is far below red heat, and not above
the usual working temperature of an electric radiator
of the exposed wire type such as is often used in
street cars; and I presume that similar heaters may
now be used in submarines. My suggestion would be
to pack these heaters, around and between the heat¬
ing coils, with coarse copper oxid (copper scale),
and to circulate the air through the heated copper
oxid, either by natural or forced circulation.

At the proper temperature there should be
no difficulty. in oxidizing even traces of hydrogen to
water; and it would seem also that there should be
no material consumption or. loss of the copper oxid,
inasmuch as it will at once regenerate itself when
the hydrogen has disappeared, it being necessary for
the regeneration only to pass a current of air through
it . If necessary the temperature could be raised at
intervals to insure regeneration.

It would seem as if a submerged vessel
would present the ideal conditions for operating
by natural circulation of the air, the flow being
downward around the cooled walls and upward in the
center. If the heated copper oxid were placed near
the top of the arch, as indicated in the accompanying
sketch, it would not only be in the path of this
natural circulation, but at the point -where the con¬
centration of the hydrogen -would tend to be at a

NOV. IB, 1915.

BAEKELAND

Mr. Edison.. ..#3.

maximum. If the batteries are
in a closed compartment it would
seem as if this arrangement
might be quite effective, while
at the same time the temperature
of the copper oxid could be kept
well below the igniting pBint of
any mixture of hydrogen and oxygen.

Of course if desired the bat-
' teries could be housed in, and the
gases arising from them circulated
through copper oxid at the proper
temperature by a fan.

I should think that the heating
of a submerged submarine would be a
decidedly serious problem; and this
would seem to afford an excellent
opportunity for combining the opera¬
tion of heating the air with that of
freeing it from even traces of hydrogen.

If there is anything in this sug¬
gestion, you are entirely at liberty
to use it as you Bee fit .

Very truly yours,

(Signed) Clinton P. Townsend. "

I answered him as follows :-

"I thank you for your kind letter of October
36th. On Mr. Edison's return, I shall submit him
your suggestion. _ , ■ •

Although 304° is the temperature at which the
ignition of hydrogen would not occur, I fear that
under certain conditions, when the amount of hydro¬
gen is large, the heat developed by the reaction
will carry the mass beyond 304°. There are many
examples where, under similar conditions, the tem¬
perature of the mass increases to red heat, and
then the possibility of ignition and explosion
should be taken into consideration.

Then also, if electric heating is used for
bringing the oxide of copper up to reaction tem¬
perature, short-circuits or other conditions in
the electric heating system, may introduce serious
elements .of danger. I am so much the more under
this impression since;, a. few days ago, one of my
automobiles was set afire while my chauffeur was
working on it, simply on account of a small spark
caused by a short-circuit.

I feel that- mechanical removal ought to be
easier and. safer, but this is merely my personal
opinion, based more on .intuition, which does not

. BAEKELAND

Ml.

MOV. 16, 1916.

mean to say, by any means, that your suggestion
could not be carried out successfully. My opin¬
ion is mostly derived from the standpoint that I
would not dare to take chances of the possibil¬
ity of a. hydrogen explosion in a submarine. "
(Signed) L. H. Baekeland.

I bel ieve that the proper solution of the difficulty
would be to pipe properly the storage batteries, so as to con¬
duct the hydrogen gas where it can.be handled further and dis¬
posed of in some mechanical way, instead of letting it simply
escape in the air and diffuse, as now seems the .common practice
among storage battery manufacturers.

Very truly yours,

IiHB/ME,

Copies sent to:

Rear Admiral Joseph Strauao,

Chief of Bureau of Ordnance.

Mr. Thomas Robins,

Secretary of ilaval Consulting Board.
Committee on Chemistry and Physics.
Committee on. Submarines.

% h art bflm ct^ro-

cLtr-iM

t

Uawug «****"

,<*0^ H/

AAxi

g e„

Ial consulting board

f%/ <j ^ Ad * OF THE UN,TED s

llewellyn Parle, E. J.

'uaa adkcpffc**

My Dear Mr. Edison:

At the meeting of the Eaval Consulting Board on Eov. 4th,
the following Besolution was passed:

That the Chair appoint a Committee whose iuty
It shall he to draw up a report giving all the arguments
and reasons for the proposed Eaval Research laboratory
and Experimental Station, to report to the Board at its
next session.

I beg to say that the Chair, exercising its function,
has appointed thiB Committee as follows:

Mr. Edison, Chairman, Dr. 1. H. Baekeland and

Dr. W. H. Whitney.

On Mr. Saunderfi' suggestion that the members of this
Committee may obtain some suggestions which would be useful in the
preparation of their report from Admiral Melville's paper which is

referred to in the i

n Bear Admiral Edwards to

Mr. Saunders, I have sent for copies of this paper and shall
forward them to the members of thiB Committee as soon as they

TB/gt - Enos.

HAVAL COBSULTIEG BOAHD OF THE D. S.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

COPY

Bristol, R. I., Eov. 9, 1915.

l«y sear Hr. Saunders

As a member of the American Institute of
Hilling Engineers, I feel privileged to write to the President of the
Institute and am therefore forwarding under separate cover a copy of
an Address delivered by the late Rear Admiral Eelville before tne
Engineers Club of Philadelphia in relation to the value of
experimental investigation and researoh.

If this publication is of value to the Kaval
Consulting Board, then additional copies of the address might be
obtained from the Secretary of the Engineers' Club of Philadelphia
or from the Seo 'y-Treasurer of the American Society of Eaval Engineers,
Eavy Department, Washington, D. C.

As I helped Admiral Melville to oollect data
for this monograph I know that the address represents a vast amount
of investigation and 3tudy. The address commanded the attention of
Count Reventlow of Germany as v/ell as of the xaculty of the
Marine Engineering ana Eaval Architectural Department of the
Charlottenburg and other German experimental laboratories.

This is the age of the engineer, ana if the
counsel and advice of the engineering profession will be welcomed and
sought, then national preparedness can be obtained in a more efficient
and less costly manner than by any other means.

The faot also that we have been fellow
contributors to the Eovember number of the Engineering Magazine
convinces me that you will appreciate the spirit and purpose of
forwarding for your information the enclosed pamphlet referred to.

I consider it a distinct and signal honor to
have been a contributor fch to the splendid issue which Mr. Dunlap has
sent forth in the Kovember number of the Engineering Magazine.

I am, with esteem.

(signed) John R. Edwards,

Rear Admiral, U.S.H. (Ret.)

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Eov. 10, 1915.

Admiral John H. Edwards,
Bristol, a. I.

Ky Bear Admiral

X am very much indebted to yon for your letter of
the 9th enclosing a copy of an address delivered bp the late Hear
Admiral Melville before the Engineers Club in Jrtiiladelnhia in
relation to the value of experimental investigation and research. X
shall read this with a great deal of interest.

I have taken the liberty of sending a copy of
your letter to the Secretary of the Eaval Consulting Board, so that
if desirable they may take advantage of your kind suggestion that
additional oopies of this address might be obtained from the Secretary
of the Engineers’ Club at jphiladelphia.

I read your article in the November issue of the
Engineering Magazine with a great deal of interest. It will do much
to clear up a situation whioh is misunderstood. I am glad to have
been a co-contributor with you in this publication.

Again thanking you, and trusting that I may at some
future date have the pleasure of meeting you, I remain

Xix Yours truly,

(signed) VV. I. Saunders

GENERAL' fiLECTRIC COMPANY

I have reoeived oopy of Dr. Baekeland* b letter
to you of Hovember 15th, on the above subjeot.

What 1b the matter with using a heated platinum
wire inside of a small double wire gauze cage Bomewhat
like a miner’s safety lamp? This platinum should cause
oombuetion of the hydrogen: with oxygen of the air end the
gauze would prevent explosion or back fire and also permit
esoape of the water vapor formed. This reaotion, whereby
hydrogen in air is oxidized in oontaot with hot platinum,
is a very complete one. Of oourse it oonsumes an amount
of oxygen equivalent to the hydrogen present, but doeB not
do anything else harmful.. A small inoandesoent lamp in
Beries with the platinum wire would indioate that the appa¬
ratus was in working order- While this outfit might be put
in the compartment containing the batteries, X am quite con¬
fident it would do its work in any pert of the submarine.

Yours very truly.

Rear Admiral Strauss
Seoy. Robins
Vio e-Chairman Hewitt
Com. on Submarines
Com. on Ohem. &Eysics

Jp*"**)

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES

November 19,1915.

"EW TORK' - T- ur&HAxa. irb^f ‘ifHflerfl *****£

KJ t&6vf CffvjuL

ThS?angt;K^!°n,EB<1‘

ra«»*f ew*p ^ o-ci^ >c b^^uj,

Dear Mr. Edison:- toe

L 4tu^«am MW' ’

Has it occurred to (yo^f^in^connect i o n^withi*the problem
which has been submitted to us by the Navy, to find some power other than
compressed air for driving a torpedo, that.it is possible to very largely
increase the effective work of a definite volume .of compressed airoy
internal heating or flaming on the basis of the old Edisona^aiinde
compressed air patents?— ^{js.cw>\^-aJCL. iq-p-*a r'toA^y^^t?c^r^ ^ ,wv|

You ~ ha^^i^ned a^flMnelwitMn i

compressed air chamber, thus expanding the air through heat and -reaching/
a high temperature, the products of combustion remaining within the air.

We were not able, as you will recall, to nullify the hurtful effects
from these products of combustion when discharged underground or in^a
closed space. Furthermore there were._dif £jcultie.s ,ab«”t lubrication^
owing to the high temperatures. ^

In a torpedo theA'^^o'^a^tval - ... _ .

poisonous gases and smoke, and in view of the t empor Iry use and subsequent
destruction of the apparatus it would Beem to me that the high teinpeiature
would o«ou »° diffloultl... ft. tSilt&TZZZZ?

I doubt that anything better thin compressed air c
be found for this purpose because of its availability and simplicity.

It is easily stored at high pressures,, and I am inclined to think
that the. difficulties . which now. exi st are mainly due to the fact that
the volume stored becomes insufficient because of contraction t.-j-ough
cooling and of the other difficulties such as the creation of moisture
and ice when cooled by pressure reduction. I am aware that. a method
of reheating has been introduced, but I do not understand that this
method carries with it the. enormous enlargement of volume which the
Edison-Saunders system gives or that it iB in any degree so simple.

The reheating might be done in a chamber located/
between the high pressure storage chamber and the engine. Kerosene/
or any other inflammable material might be used, the ignition taking
place through an electric spark, and when once ignited, and, while the. j
air is passing from the’ storage. tank to the engine, it. woul^^oe impossible
to extinguish the flame. In one of my experiments. I placed// small, V
common miner's lamp within a 4-inch compressed air pipe-'containing air \

- - - fC *“**■«,

3U i

Thomas A, Edison, Esci. ,-2.

great velocity, carrying more u* • -“Y, hut,' on the contrary, it

WB2S&&& *gs»&xr-

suggestion.

I «wn he glad to know what you think of this

1

Dov. 23rd . 1915.

Mr. William L. Saunders,

11 Broadway,
ilew York City.

Dear Mr. Saunders:

Replying to your favor of the 19th instant, let
rae say that I think a superheater would be of great advantage,
and that the superheat could possibly be obtained from charcoal
set on fire eleetrieallyf»ith Benzol sprayed in below the ex¬
plosive point. She Benzol would burn and heat the air to a pre¬
determine temperature. She charcoal would stay lighted contin¬
uously through out the whole voyage. Even the charcoal might not
be necessary after a preliminary momentary ignition by an elec-
trie wire or spark. Superheat is well worth a trial.

Oh! Shat we had that Laboratory. Things would

move quick.

Yours very truly.

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES

Hr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orango, H. J.

Bear Sir:

Hot. 26, 1916.

* h

Sinoe the issuanoa of notioes for tha Beoember meeting,
there has been a oonferenoa on this subject between Hr. Saunders
and Secretary Banials. with tha result that the following program

haB been arranged.

Instead of tha masting being held in Washington on
Beoember 9th, it will be held at the Hew York Hayy Yard on Thursday,
Beoember 23rd, at 10 A. M. After a business session and a tour of
the Bavy Yard, the members will board a vessel of the Hayy and viBit
points of interest, inoluding probably the Sandy Hook proving ground.

A more detailed announcement will be issued later.

Please fill in the enclosed blank stating whether or not

you expect to attend this meeting.

IH/gt

KAVAB 00HSU1TXHG BOA HD OH THE U. S.

Enos.

f.

o>- ' "

Uov. -6th. 1916.

L5r. Yhomas Kobins,

IS Park Bow,

How York City.

Doar :.Ir . Bob ins :

will you kindly send mo a copy
of the list of iiaval requirements, iiy copy
was burned up by mistake.

Yours very truly.

I am^advlsed^that

suiting Board has appointees you as chairman pf

'X

giving all the argumei

O i/s SyirtAwCeAM ettrtra^i
itory and Experimental Sts

In as far %SMi derstand tMfa report
has to be prepared for the next meet<jrff£-®*"T;he Board,
I hold myself ready for any call whioh you may make
upon us.

In the meantime, I intend to present at
the meeting of December 10th of the Hew York Section
of the American Chemical Society, an informal report
as to the work and scope of the Naval Consulting
Board. In doing so , I am acting in accordance with
the attitude taken by the Board at its last meeting,
and I hope to be able to offset, to a limited extent,
some rather unwarranted criticisms which have appear¬
ed of late in various newspapers, due probably more
to misinformation than to ill-will.

In accordance with the decision taken at
the last meeting of the Board, I Bhall first submit

Mr. Edison..... #3.

my address to our "censors" for rectification.

Before doing so, I take the liberty of

UAMAVllMEoL •

sending you a^copy, with the request that you
would kindly give me the benefit of any suggestions,
specially in view of the fact that I quoted your
name. Any advice you are willing to. give me in
this instance, will be greatly appreciated by
Yours very truly.

. ( 5V&)

u* 'lu£{Le^ ^Wrvwv e-^3

IrOluEr* aw ■'ftX U ^tn^u- (TLc^-w/^

U 4^" -j-<y-^C^ 'tfCcK-f' /^ja-tw cUXa-rf^-f-j \

1,^,,, | 4 4^" CjC^-’f 6tl^ l((X ^^'tv«^-<uS^-*A-J

^•pLW" - — ^ tvcc^> y^ef^t vt i''fTZi-«X"~//oe-l* £‘&.^a-f'{t

7U+~ju4o-t*c. T^w fjj^k^Cd ‘(fcc ^-wJl.

(-G'U^j&'t.C*^*^ eLt-* — “ ^ ■•

Dec . 6th. 1916.

Mr. William L. Sauna ora,

11 Broadway,

flew York City.

My dear Saunders:

I noticed in a letter from
Secretary Daniels wherein the very desir¬
able things are set forth, that they already
used kerosene to heat up the compressed air.
therefore, they have gotten to the end of
compressed air.

I had not noticed this before.
Yours very truly,

COPY for each member of the Committees
- ordnance & Explosives.

Chemistry & Physios and__^

December 6, 1915.

I have just finished reading the confidential
government report on gun erosion and believe that the question of
thermal conductivity of the gun metal should be considered.

Apparently erosion consists of the sweeping out
by the gas rush of a thin film of superheated metal and it has
been found that it is reduoed by using:

(a) lower gas pressures, .

(b) lower maximum temperatures of ha combustion,
(o) gun metal of higher melting point.

Weight of projeotile and muzzle velocity seem to have no bearing
and small scale experiments with copper gave much better result b
than its relatively low melting point would indioat e, but plating
the bore with a thin film of copper gave negative results.

Kow (a) and (b) are probably identical, as a
highly compressed gas has not only more total heat units per unit
of volume, but probably a higher thermal conductivity than a gas
at the same temperature but at lower pressure, bo that, the time
interval and other faotors being the same, the metal of the bore
will more nearly attain the temperature of the gas when high
pressures are used.

Of course the great mass of the gun can absorb
many heat units with but a small rise in temperature and the
temperature gradient from the superheated film in the interior of
the bore deserves study. Y/ere.the thermal conductivity of the
gun metal high enough, the surface film could be kept down to a
temperature which would resist soouring. This idea is corroborated
by the results with oopper, the notably high thermal conductivity or
7/hioh more than offset tfte low melting point when the metal was used
in sufficient mass, and doubtless explains why various alloy steels
gave paorer results than those more closely approaching pure iron.

The practical point of all this is that we know
that mere traoes of certain impurities have enormous effects upon
the electrical conductivity of copper and by analogy it is quite
possible that minor changes in the composition of the alloy might
have surprising effects upon the thermal conductivity of gun metal.
Elements like E. Si and A1 I have particularly in mind.

I would therefore suggest that some measurements of
the thermal conductivity of some of the gun metals actually used
might advantageously be made and, if a relation seemed established
between erosion and conductivity, the subject could be followed
systematically to a practical conclusion.

ffery truly yours,

(Signed) lawrenoe Adc^ftkg

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

SCHENECTADY. N. Y.

suggestions and have introduced him in this conneoti.

heoause of the suggestions of Admiral Edwards and the

very evident fact that it should he done. If I have
overdone it, please head me off.

AS the Committee is not asked to do more than
supply arguments and reasons. I am not introducing any¬
thing in the *ay of plans or blueprints or even estimat.

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

Folio -

I should lihe very much the privilege of
voting you S.turl.y morning , the lltn. If you .111
permit me «nl «1U inform ~ »f “ hour “l y°“

„» see me- Will 1™ »”a« " **

Soheneotedy?

1 am enclosing the pamphlet containing
Admiral Kelville's address which Mr. Rohins sent r
Yours very truly,
l j

TOY/ : 0

EHC1B6URES

Den . 9th. 1915.

Mr. Bradley Stoughton, Secretary,

Amor lean Institute of Mining Engineers,
29 Yiost i.9th Street,

Hew York City.

Dear Sir:

I hog to acknowledge receipt of
your favor of the sixth instant, and to ex¬
press my thanks to the American Institute
of Mining Engineers for their courteous offer
of the facilities and services of the Institute
fox the use of the Ilaval Consulting Board or
any of its Committees.

I shall call the attention of the
Ilaval Consulting Board, through its Secretary,
Mr. Thomas Bobins. of the kina offer that has
been made, ana ascertain whether the Committee
can take advantage thereof.

Youre very truly.

Menlo Park, N. J

l OO^y 1915. . y

“T' oMirt

si£S3& fei&a

inclosed iaA carbon ,1 whioh letter, has not

gestions as to means for

naloeed is A carbon i whioh letter, has not

Idn-^JS HSw W a VA*t* 0*W~.«

fe§,S3R*,Aif»3E,W

r expediting file labors ,of the Advisory. )

fJLrudt’ 1C*WH*W oo

Board whioh it oontains^u^ofsuffio|3nt mer|t /aid Impcftamoe ^to^

w -y 1- ft. nviAwW IV-^Ort J **"**”

at least recommend them to^oi^iderat^n from^one

inventing and designing, andjthiat

merely consign them to thefts te 1
G<w a. ae

of his assistants seems to have |ii
sending them to you as ChairpmlnH):

~Ll- fit,

; them to you as Chairman

4. tt.

The substance of moat o:

J“Pi£ <■*&

at of. tha, suggestions .made to the Seo- . ,

| /U> — Cfr t-» aAs***^U

youin some.£orm but it oooursd. to me J \

SJEas^EiiW ‘a » ^

of-. so novel a! body as the/

^ <*T

•s and rheir preclse^feearSng
m te— «*’xw <j-wsu

rldjpked. However, I bdlie'

o ixXf>.e-£^rt’{

j

retaxy is of course old to ydtfin some^form but it ooourgd to me J
Heuc^ruj efi-vJT

that perhaps in organizing the staff „fi|-so novel^ aj body as the* ^ ^
Board, the importance of the semap Je rs and their precise, Rearing

n, V'W-M

on the work of the Board might be ov4rlo|pked. However, I)>elieve
that one of the suggestions ( the "ancillary search") itf'new and
my experience in providing suoh service for inventing manu&aotur ers,
while all of comparatively recent date, tends all to indicate that
it is of great value.

Permit me to add that in writing the letter to the Secre¬
tary I had no ulterior purpose but was entirely disinterested; I

W. W. BOUGHTON

was not looking to the creation of any position for myBelf for I
am established in practice in Colorado and have been for a number
of years.

Very truly,

b/l.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Oct. 8th. , 1915.

Hon. Josephus M. Daniels,

Secretary U. P. Navy,

Washington,. D. C.

Sir:-

May I offer a suggestion as to possiblo means for expedit¬
ing the labors and perhaps increasing the efficiency of the Con¬
sulting Board which you are forming — which bo:ard will be the
greatest “Inventing Machine" ever assembled’

You are contemplating the provision of .a research labora¬
tory to try out the suggestions of these experts; but has it ooour-
ed to you to furnish your inventors with the services of an expert
who could supply them in advance with a comprehensive and complete
review of the suggestions of all other thinkers along the line
which they are for the time being to investigate? This question
applies in particular to the disclosure of the Patent Office records,
for you will have on your Board experts familiar with all cr a major
portion of the literature on the subjects investigated.

In this connection it should be remembered that the subjects
matter of the patents of the United States, which are now rapidly
approaching a million and a quarter in number, and of all the pat¬
ents issued in foreign countries which number about the same, are
impossible of exhaustive knowledge by any man or association of
m0n. That even the experts of the Patent Office, whose labors
often for a period of years are confined to their own special line

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

#2.

of invention, are not so familiar wdth their olas6es tie to attempt
to pass on an application far patent without a search with that
particular invention in mind. It may therefore be oonceded that
your Board as a whole will be unfamiliar with the majority of the
suggestions of prior inventors on any subject which they take up.

The question then is: ’Jill a ocmplete review of the efforts
of earlier inventors to solve the problem in mind be of use to
suoh a Board as the Navy Department has oreated? It would seem
that in a majority of oases the answer must necessarily be "Yes".
While it is of couroo true that a large percentage of the patents
issued are on more or less impracticable and visionary schemes,
yet in numberless instances these ^schemes , impracticable as they
are, embody the germ of a good idea which experts could modify or
employ in principle to develop a feasible construction. In o-
ther instances the devices may have been practical and in fact
have come into seme considerable use and still have escaped the
notioe of those who may be olaosed as experts in the art to which
they relate. In still other oases the idea may have been appar¬
ently feasible and might again occur to your Board as good but
still have had some latent objection whioh oould be discovered by
an investigation into the history of the invention. In all of
these cases it would apparently be of great aid to the labors of
the Board if it were fully informed in advance as to what had been
suggested by others in order that its labors and investigations
need not retraverse already explored territory.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

#3.

Thera is another way in which, in ray opinion, an expert
suoh ae I have suited, familiar with the rather complex and in¬
tricate classification of patents in the Patent Offioe could he of
assistance to the Board. In the solution of problems submitted
to it and in devising means of meeting these problems, there will
in many instances be re-invented expedients old to other artsjwhich
expedients are. oapablo of being carried over into the new situation
either unchanged or modified to suit the new conditions, without
the laborious prooeding of reconstructing them to meet' the require¬
ments at hand. In such oases before the very valuable time of
the inventive geniuses of the Board were taken up with a problem,
would it not be well to submit it as a demand to be met to a pat¬
ent expert, to determine if in other lines this same problem or
an analogous problem had not been encountered and solved? An
experience with patents extending over almost fifteen years, both
within the Patent Office and as an attorney in patent matters, has
impressed ver^ strongly on me the uselessly large number of times
that substantially the same idea is re-invented to meet either the
same or analogous requirements. All labor of re-invention is ob¬
viously wasted and new thought in any field should evidently begin
where others have left off instead of having first to retraoe the
steps of other inventors.

The utilization of knowledge as to what prior patents dis¬
close along a given line is not new for most of the larger corpor¬
ations make a practice of keeping their' inventors fully informed
as to all developments in their line. I am told, and see no reason

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

#4.

for doubting it, that Mr Edisons first step in approaching a now
problem is to have laid before him oomplete information as to ev¬
erything thut has been suggested to meet the problem not only in
the patents but also in the literature of the art. In fact it is

hard to see how inventors can efficiently operate in any other
manner. But, so far as I know, I am the first to see the

possibilities of what may be termed "ancillary investigation" of
the Patent Office files; a systemmatic, advanoe investigation for
the purpose of obviating .reinvention in a particular instance of
constructions whioh may as well be carried over from another art.

A search to meet a demand ;-.vhich should be as complete and exhaus¬
tive as validity searches now are — and I may say that the major¬
ity of validity searches end in a demonstration that the idea wao
not new. ’ 1 have recently carried on some investigations
along this line for manufacturer clients with very gratifying re¬
sults and I believe that the Department can well avail itself of
some such service.

The employment of a patent expert by a department of the
Government is not without precedent for about ton yearB or so ago
the Census Bureau omployed such services in what was, if I remem¬
ber oorreotly , a successful attempt on the port of the Bureau to
devise tabulating machinery whioh should not be subject to royalty
under what were then supposed to bo patents dominating their field.

!

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, |h.

My Bear Mr. Edison :j

Referring to your letter of Jspv. 30th relative
to Phenol, I have received a letter from my\friai
of Toronto reading is s follows:

3r d/eno losing,?’ Mr.

, which I,rha\ve' noted
1 herewith. Vi have

" X have your 8 of Deo'.

Edison's letter of Bov. 30th,

with much interest and return %. - -

delayed replying until/my sonybould/glye, 'me more
definite information'ragardihg the'supply\of
Phenol from! Plastic's limited, Toronto, id my
letter of Eov. 30th I stated thht Plastlosl Llmltej.
had commenced the manufacture -of Phenol here. My
son tells me,, that from present indications.
Plastics limited will he able to supply it in
suffioient-lquan^ities for the Synthetio Drug.
Company^ requirements. If the situation changes
and Plait io s/Limi ted fall down in the supply, I
will /let you know and, if Mr. Edison oan then help
us out, wef shall he greatly obliged.

(S

YourB faithfully,
(signed) C. B. Candee

Thanking you -very . much for your kindly interest in this matte]

--rv vei

' I

TB/gt^

0X-_ g^A-

NEW ENGLAND PATENT AGENCY

* vA4viiS

laval Advisory Board

Deo . 15, 1915. y~ ‘

ui\ i eri^aW

£!•**"+*
Lent vWoiT'tne investor ol^an J;iiprov emen t
a and Su^iar ine eu^v/he r ebyJa plurality of
incorporated with the Body of the ship,

onrt n.11 of them can he launched at will.

fines are normally incorporated with the Body of
o such a way that any and all of them can he lawn

3 its uses in connection with warships or merchant marines.
u a model which he would like the privilege of exhibiting
e designated hy yourself, at mutual convenience,
rdingly , we heg that you will kindly name the place, and th<

5 the individual whom 1

ting your advice in regard 1

Yours very truly,

6 os'/ j

Mr. Louis M. Schmidt,

Ilew England' Patent Agency,
Hew Britain, Conn.

Dear Sir.:

Dec. 20th. 1915

Boplying to your favor of the 15th instant, I hog to
inform you that I cannot spare the time to give your cliont an
interview. She flaval Consulting Board is an advisory; hoard.

If you client will write out a description and send
same to me with a sketch, I will bring it before the Board,
and then they will pass it on to the Uavy Department.

Your client should file his application for patent

before sending the description and sketch.

Yours very truly.

Ur. V.. Vi . Boughton,

921 Gas 1 Electric Bldg.,

Denver, Colo. . .

Dear Sir:

I am in receipt of your favor of- the ninth instant.

I think you have not quite understood the position that the
Haval Consulting Board occupies, although the newspapers have
published it broadcast. For your information I would say that
the Board is an Advisory board, and not a Board of Inventions.

At the Libraries of the various Engineering Societies
there is usually kept a most voluminous card index system in
which about everything known in engineering lines is indexed,
and if a member wants information relating to an engineering
subject, he can get what ho watns at a very low rate. I am not
aware whether or not all patents are indexed in like manner, but
1 think so. Cbus it is already possible to carry out your
suggestion which I am free to Bay iB a very good one.

lours very truly.

THE SPERRY GYROSCOPE COMPANY

- MILAN - TOKIO - HAMBURG
PETERSBURG - FlUME - COPENHAGEN
STOCKHOLM - CONSTANTINOPLE

MANHATTAN BRIDGE PLAZA
BOROUGH BROOKLYN
NEW YORK CITY

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N.J.

6iA<

a*** inrv'u

December 16, 1915.

I tcJr ^

L~ zr+r

My dear Mr. Edison:

ability and experience in h|8 establlsh-

Lieu tenant R. E. Gillmor. t relations with not

Sl^SSr SI practically every navy

of Europe.

his extensive connections ^ “worSaUon he might secure

may be generally helpful 8 °Bth first two paragraphs

S&K- ^.KSL'-SS- » .—*»

for your information.

Very truly yours :

Enclosure (1)

, -jfti-yv-/ C0hSi*/??xj

December 17, 1915.

Mr. Edison:

As per our conversation today, Mr. Hoy H.
Davis, for marly Admiral Strauss' very able Lieutenant
in Bureau of Ordnance, and now retired and employed
by a big munitions company in Hew York, will visit you
in the library tomorrow afternoon at ‘five o'clock.

Before talking with Mr. Davis, if you will
explain ^o him that you want him to treat as confidential
anything j$#may say to you, you may depend upon his
doing so.

M. H. HUi'CHISOI! .

December 17, 1915.

Mr. Brady:

On Saturday afternoon, about five o'oiook,

10th instant, Mr. Roy 8. Davis will oall on Mr. Edison
by appointment and at Mr. Edison's request.

Mr. Davis should be conducted to Mr. Edison
as soon as he arrives.

H. HUTCHISOH.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

WTNGT0N'

Decentoer 16, 1915.

My dear Mr. Hutchison:

Replying to your good letter of December 16th which
1 find awaiting me upon my return from Charleston tcday,
please let me say that the hearings will begin before
Congress on January 3rd, when the matters you speak of
in your letter will be considered.

1 an very glad indeed to know of Mr. Edison's
enthusiastic study of the theory of erosion.

With highest esteem,

December EO, 1915

Mr . Thomas RobinB,

Hew York City
D6or Hr? Robins:

Referring to your letter of the 18th, X etn
sorry X oannot bo in Sew York before Thursday morning.
I visited Mr. Edison a week or so ago, and prepared s
statement of "arguments and reasons”. My first at¬
tempt was not satisfactory and I have rev<ritten
portions of it and sent it to Mr. Edison today, with
oopy to Dr. Baekeland. Owing to an engagement in
Boston Wednesday I oannot visit Mr. Edison before the
meeting.

I hed not intondod to present plans, draw¬
ings, etc-, beonuse they were not asked for? I have,
however, my original blueprints for the laboratory
building proper, which 1 will have with me at the
meeting on Thursday.

Yours very truly,

WRW:0 ( Sgd . ) V7.R. WHITNEY

TAE

IBB

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

RESEARCH LABORATORY

SCHENECTADY, N. Y.

December 20, 1916

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, H.J-

Dear Mr. Edison:

I am sending you today a revised suggestion
for a report to our Hagai Consulting Board. As we
were ashed only for "arguments and reasons", I have
finally omitted all other considerations , such as
proper buildings, equipment, personnel, etc, but have
included the main points of Melville’s arguments- 1
don’t think this report will go beyond our- Board member.

If this can form the base on which the Board
considers the subject, then a proper report to Secre¬
tary Daniels oan later be made up. In tlliB
report should be included the best guesses as to equip¬
ment, etc. insurance against graft, politics, etc,

will' have to form part of a final report, as this point
seems to be the one most prominently recognized by the
admirals themselves.

WRW:C

1H Baekeland
T Robins

Yours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

BAT A! CCIISULTIIIG 30ARD

"Arguments and reasons for proposed
Haval Research laboratory and Experimental Station’

CU (Ut— «- V'"'

r.

V/. R. Whitney
December 20, 1915

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

The arguments and reasons for a naval re-
searoh laboratory were well presented by Melville in
1903 and the last twelve years have emphasized the
needs- The navy is larger, the complexity is greater
anfyforeign advances have been enormous. Our con¬
ception of a suitable researoh department inoludes a
laboratory proper, msohinc shop, foundry, forge, shop,
eto., suffioient in themselves to permit of rapid pro¬
duction of the first unit of many of the naval aooessories.
The first working model of any piece of apparatus usually
requires the closest attention of the interested engineor.
Changes in design during the construction period are very
desirable. Eoonomies in such work are most easily
introduced during the early stages- The personal
interest is greatest when the meohanioal part does not
trail too far behind in time or too remote in poBitlfin
from the person most interested. It is for thi s repson
that the entire meohanioal and personal outfit whioh has
to do with the production of the first unit of a naval
accessory, should be oomplete and oompaot, cooperative
and coordinated. This 1b a condition so entirely foreign
to the oustom of our Navy that the idea appears to be re¬
pellent to some of the practical men from its mere novelty.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Admiral Melville Jointed out that the establishment
of a suitable researoh laboratory would oost but little moro
than the annual loss by "oorrosion mishaps and depreciation
of military applianoes of two of these floating fighting
machines". I qu6te from the address a few portions which
still bear with particular stress twelve years after they
were written:

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

"The rise of Germany as a naval
and maritime power daring the past
thirty years has surprised the world.

1 believe that her battleships for
their tonnage are the best afloat***.

** *■*'"* ‘Strangest of all, this ex¬
cellence in the construction of war¬
ships, as well as in the building of
vessels for the ooean-going trade, is
not the result of a progressive series
of failures, either in design, construction,
or of operation.

"The suooess of Germany oan be ao-
oounted for only by recognizing the faot
that study, reflection, and reseBroh must
have been expended in the preparation of
plans, in the building up and the organ¬
ization of the shipyards, and in laying
out and carrying on the work of oonatruotion.
It was tho high appreciation of the value of
original investigation, ooupled with experi¬
mental work, that has oaused Germany to ad¬
vance progressively and successfully’.’"

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Y

4

"For over a hundred yearQ Germany,
as a nation, has oarried on more orig¬
inal researoh along teohnioal lineB
than any other power. While it is
true th^t both England and Amerioa
have put to praotioal application the
principles discovered by German re¬
searoh, thereby gaining commercial
and maritime advantages, it has been
the Teuton who has sought after principles.*
"In a desultory and sporadio manner
all naval powers have done some experi¬
mental work. It is because original
investigation is not always appreciated
in its fullness by the Anglo-Saxon that
many administrative exeoutive offioers
are indifferent to Buoh researoh, and
therefore experimental tests in Great
Britain and America are not always of a
oontinuingf&ature. Great Britain, however.
haB reoently been compelled to establish a
National Physioal laboratory, because the
encroachment of continental rivals threat¬
ened to interfere with her foreign markets."

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

S

"The ooat to the 3ritish government
of using the oruiserB "Hyaointh" ,

"Minerva", end "Hcrmea" for comparative
boiler tents and experiments will ap¬
proximate more than the coBt of es¬
tablishing and operating both the
Charlottenburg and the Dresden stations
sinoe their inoeption." * * * *

"Experience has shown that the German
engineering laboratories arc more than a
good paying investment, for there is not
an expert in that empire familiar with
the work being done at these laboratories
who does not believe that their destruction
would be a greater national oalamity to the
navy and the nation than tho loss of one of
the battleships of the home squadron. The
warship oould be replaoed in four yearB.

It would take six years to rebuild and put
in effective operation the complete in¬
stallation for oonduoting experimental re¬
search that has been developed and perfected
ah* at the Charlottenburg and DreBden teoh-
nioal colleges. "

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

L

■Sl

"It taken time, energy, and money
to develop such an Institution, and
therefore the resulting benefits oan
only be observed after euoh a labora¬
tory has been in operation for a oon-
siderable period. The advance of Ger¬
many in naval engineering rosearoh will
be ouoh more apparent during the next
few years than it is now. *****

"It can be absolutely stated that
tho navy is behind the timeB in original
work and research. Several months ago
one of the marine superintendents of one
of the Great lake transportation companies
told me that if he were oalled upon to re¬
trench in expenditures, the last item to
be out down would be that for experimental
purposes, sinoe both tho cost of construction
and the Gip ense of operation of tho steamers
under his oontrol had been reduoed as a re¬
sult of the data Beoured from experimental
work. There is not a leading university,
large manufacturing oonoern, or great trans¬
portation oompany that does not oonsider it

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

imperative to make teatB and experi¬
ments. Every navy will also find
tlist it •will increase cffioienoy and
promote eaonomy to oonduot and to en-
oourage extended investigation of un¬
solved problems relation to its marine
eervioe.

"Unless its industrial leaders have
acquired a technical and scientific
eduoational foundation, no notion oan
seoure marked advcnoc either in the
field of manufactures or in naval con¬
struction. * * * *

* * * * mjje 000t of maintaining a
•battleship in commission will approx¬
imate §1000. per dey.and warshipB have
been tied up for weeks on aooount of
the oorrosion of a few hundred dollars'
worth of boiler tubeB- It will repay
the nation for the cost of an experi¬
mental station if the staff of the lab¬
oratory will simply onuee increased length
of life of both boiler and oondenscr tubes.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Z±-

"The primary reaBon Bnd ohief objeot
for establishing the laboratory is to
inarease the effioienoy of the naval
service by preventing the adoption on
our ships of war of untried or doubt¬
ful devioes and expedients.

"Sinoe it is the aim of many pro¬
moters to foroe their wareB upon the
government, every executive department
should have at its command a laboratory
or a station where extended tests oould
be made for determining the valuo Bnd
usefulness of every applianoe submitted
for adoption.

"The experimental station would like¬
wise be veluable for a proposed post¬
graduate course in engineering. This
work is ss® essential to naval effioienoy,
and is earnestly desired by many junior
bffioerB of the Borvioe- Post-graduate
work in engineering has been recommended
by the Academic Board, for this advanoed
work is absolutely neoessary to seoure
the large complement of engineering experts

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

T2-

that will be needed in the hear future.

If the laboratory will help to provide
for this supply, its establishment will
be alone Justified by giving euoh ex¬
perts to tho navy."

He also pointed to the importance of develop¬
ing local discovery as distinot from purchasing ideas
already generally made publio. This would be possible
in a naval research laboratory. It has been the hiB-
tory of some of our useful naval apparatus that it hflB
been hawked about the world for years, until recognition
of its value by others has foroed us to aooept it.

The words of our most experienced naval ex¬
pert are truer today than ever before. It might be
sheer presumption on our part to add to his expressions.
I feel that in attempting to add to the pioture of
government-need whioh be painted, I am continuing but
feebly what ho himself started, and ora doing it merely
to bring his wort up to date.

In a list of twenty-five naval problems whioh
he prepared, in order to illustrate what a laboratory
should undertake, there is muoh food for thought, and
in problems born slnoe then there is at least as muoh
more. He spoke of the determination of the value of

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

liquid fuels for ezines and toilers, and much has teen
done with oil and gasoline since 1903, tut we are still
struggling with the foreign Diesel engine teoause no
suitable American type exists- *Ma work is certainly
not oompleto. It woo never more highly desirable.

He spoke of the possibilities of steam turbines for
installation in worships, and you know the active state
of that field today. He spoke of the relative value
of different alloys for machinery purposes and the more
extensive uso of steel oastlnge. etc., etc. Since that
address probably more now elloys hove been made, outside
of the liavy, than in any previous twelve years of the
world • Steel oaetlngs made in lorgo and in small
batches have boon commercially poured for several years
from electrio furnnoes, where experiments on composition,
temperature, etc., are muoh simpler than ever before. He
showed by this list that he wanted to keep the Havy abreast

of or ahead of the times.

How what did he omit from the list whioh I am
willing to point out? It is the unforeseen needs, the
new knowledge, the things ho knew researoh would develop
hut whioh oould not then be even called by name.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

In¬

festing an* untried art! doubtful devloes he
oonsldered to be the primary reason and ohlef objeot
of a laboratory, and while that alone 1b reason enough
for very much greater laboratory faollltlcB than our
Havy poBBoBaes, still a testing laboratory 1b only part
of a researoh laboratory, and thle he recognized per¬
fectly. Where are to wrg originate the Bpeoial de¬
vices to be tested and which we so sorely need? Shall
we oopy from other countries and trail behind them?

Shall we depend entirely upon tho fortuitous discoveries
of our people, who must of necessity be only scantily
supplied with a knowledge of navy needs (the real re¬
quirements) and poorly equipped for extended research?
Without having seen the letter files of the Havy, I think
It Is safe to say that ninety-nine peroent of all the
civilian plans presented to the Secretary are not worth •
even a laboratory test- The Inventors, If they were
familiar with the actual foots relevant to their plans,
a little better trained in soienoe and more oonversant
with the relatively advanoed state of naval arts, might
put their mental efforts to valuable use, but at present
there is no preparedness for naval invention.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

/>-

15-

let me illustrate: Admiral Melville’s long
list of Havy needs includes no refcronoe to wireless,
nor to any one of its multitude of accessories , to
detecting or locating invisible submarines or ways to
trap or destroy them. nothing is saia about the aero¬
plane nor of the problems in aeronautics and aero motors.
There are no aero torpedoes. Ho reference is made to
aero guns, nothing is said about lighting the sea at
night, neither by searchiight nor by star bombs. Nothing
is said about electric drive nor eleotrio control. The
gyrosoope-oompass and gyro-torpedo are not mentioned, nor
are the very desirable range finders and periscopes. There
are more naval novelties today than there were known prob-
lens then. A question as to a suitable wire for a wire¬
less antenna on shipboard would have been but an inoorgnnity
of contradictory words. Therefore we want to emphasize
the fact that to prepare for naval defenoe we muBt have a
good dar open to the newly developing needB of the, Havy, a
good eye on the advancing scientific work of the world, and
a good hand in it.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

I do not claim that the erection of laboratory
buildings and the employment of a few trained, research
men will at onoe revolutionize the war industry, or
better, peace industry- But 1 know of no more direct
way of doing exactly what 1 think needs to be done.

Most of the known Havy problems are already highly spec¬
ialized. Probably most of the future ones will be
along still more highly specialized lines. The naval
commanders of the fleet must 'phono by wirelesB freely
and easily to one another at all times and yet not be
heard on onem$ ships. The submarine of the enemy
will be seen or heard miles in the distance. The on¬
coming torpedo will probably be prematurely exploded at
a distanoe and many other things will be done not dreamt
of in our present philosophy. Most of this will not
be d6ne by the typioal ingenious, but impoverished Yankee
working a few weeks in the woodshed on the farm, nor yet
by the mentally active bank president of the city. It
will have to be done by the highest trained specialists
the oountry can produce. I think it oan all be done
by direct scientific application.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

•Vh

Many of the new problems of naval defence
and many of the suggestions likely to be made oould
be undertaken in a laboratory not very different from
the one at Schenectady. Experiments on submarines
and aeroplanes, on steam boilers and motors, must evi¬
dently bo tried under water, in the air, and on a large '
scale, but most of the fundamental experimental work can
be done in a laboratory. In some such central organ¬
ization, work of one field is oortain to have a bearing
on others and must gradually build up a stock of exper¬
ience and kno7/ledgo whioh may be widely applicable. The
Schenectady laboratory illustrates this. In the work
on alloys, whioh began with transformer steels, the pro¬
cess of Calorizing has been tested with various metals.

In the case of iron it has been found useful in greatly
raising the temperature whictylron will stand in air. It
is being tried in boiler tubes. Calorized copper con¬
denser tubes, under the severe oonditionB of Uew York and
Boston harbors, have now been in successful use between
three and four years. These are mentioned beoause they
are both naval problems. In connection with studies of
inoandescent lamp phenomena we had to study thermionic

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

IS

3r8-

emission and we Boon found ourselves In wireless fields.
Similarly, wireless generators, reoeivers, rectifiers,
and emplifiers have all been made, frequently because
of their bearing on something else, so that, thru oon-
oomitent incidents, we oould today fit out a fleet with
±wireless telephone apparatus- V7e are making metallic
magnesium and sdarchllght oarbons, and we oould under¬
take studies in sea illumination or aerometals at onoe.

It is for these reasons that I would be satisfied to
leave to future developments the welfare of a naval re¬
search laboratory if the establishment on a firm basis
and a guaranteed life of ten years oould be insured.

It has been suggested that the facilities of
our oommeroial manufacturing plants and laboratories be
called upon to help naval research and that existing bureaus
of the government do the work. This, as an assistance,
seems well worth while. 3ut it should be organized and
hhe problems pushed from a central aotive organization.

It oould inolude assistance from many of our college and
teohnioal school laboratories, but would be terribly slow.

It is not oonoeivable that suoh a oofirdinationn of different
plants would be a suitable substitute for a oentral
organization where oontinual study and effort would be
expended to improve Havy apparatus.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

19-

Briefly, then, there are 25 naval problems
suggested by Admiral Melville ana thirteen additional
suggested by Secretary Daniels. Most of those could
be better studied by an organisation under naval con¬
trol than otherwise. Any ohe of thorn would warrant
some onrefxil study ana many of them should reooive a
great deal- They sufficiently warrant a laboratory,
but they are not the only warrants- A leading navy
must evolve or adopt new devices- This necessity never
ceases. X believe the useful possibilities are greater
in research along novel naval lines than along those
lines devoted mostly to small increases in efficiency
of existing apparatus. For example, X thin* good
practical research work on Admiral Fiske's wireless
dirigible torpedo launched from an aeroplane would be
more efficient than equal effort spent on the corrosion
of boiler tubes- One may be colled a flying start
and/othor a start from standstill.

Ho attempt has been made to include in this
report details of equipment, location, personnel!. e$o.

r making.

in length. X figur<^) that it would ao aljL the machine
.r to the British 3 M

t vifUb a **h

— ’ 40 seconds and would paae througji.

i. K

achlne woui

Shis machine would he suiti
diameter anc
work on a 3'

Shrapnel Shell in two minutes
three series of operations, that le
three different times to ao the
the average time would he two
The hest present method that I
in a shop that made shells for
this shell they have been ableJ
^in 24 minutes.

with one, operator.

CXiVV

La. of this type is

.this machine would he set up and running'

to the war Mud on
work^S^ few instances,
***** y

■T

inia he fnll

T.A.E.#2.

automatic. It would have a rapid approach to the work, throw in the
feed and perform the different operations on the work that would he
held in five of the different ohnoka. The other chuck would he at the
chucking station where the operator would take out a piece of work on
which the machine work had been done and put in another piece. When
the operations are finished the feed is thrown ouiand a retarding
motion would he thrown in that would hold the tools up flush against
the work that would remove the different tool marks and finish the
work up to the correct size, then the retarding motion would he
thrown out and the rapid reverse thrown in which would oarry the tool
holders up above the work and then the chuck carrier would rotate
around to its next position and the tool carrier would Btart downward
again. In doing the work on most shells it would he advisable to have
the machine set so that It would work on four pieces while the operator
would take out two pieces and put in two more and the machine would
index two spaces instead of one. I have the tooling laid out for
making 3" shells. If you would he interested in receiving this, I
would he glad to mail you blue^ptintB covering same. This machine has
not been built. All I have is a complete set of working drawings.

These drawings have been shown Jo different engineers who are engages in
th^^chine tool business and they think very well of same, that it is

a very simple design considering what it will do and that it

will work.

imim brims

% 'vckfaftm.

I thought possibly from some of your different srtloles
which you have written, that the Government might be interested in
seouringthe design of a machine of this type. I would like to hear
from you regarding this. Kindly address your reply to me personally
in oare of the above company. 1 am.

II K NUV A .Wl sn Wo « )I >

How'

LJ 1

^oMr'Vbi,U» Dec ©ml) or 22nd J 1915*

. 14 jhu.

EDI SOU, Esq.,
Orange,

My dear Ur. Edison:-

C

It is with profound regret
that I tender you my resignation as a member of
the ITaval Consulting Board. I have been compelled
to do this because I cannot on the one hand con¬
scientiously withhold my protest against the wholly
inadequate defensive plans of the Administration,
nor on the other hand make my protest, as I am
conscientiously bound to do, and remain a member
of your distinguished body without stibjeoting the
latter to severe criticism.

This being so, and notwithstand¬
ing that my action has required of me the greatest
sacrifice that I have ever had to make, — that of
surrendering one of the highest honors that can come
to an American - I have been unable to see my duty
in any other light than that above expressed.

I believe that we are facing
the greatest crisis that we have known since the
Civil War and that upon our actions in the present
will depend not only the future welfare of our people,
"but our continuance as a first class power* .therefore
I cannot permit such a mishandling of our defenses
as the Administration proposes without striving with
all ray might to prevent it. This I am conscious will
carry me into a period of bitter controversy, but
whatever its costs I mean to push this controversy
to the end, regardless of whomsoever it may tort,
myself included.

I cannot withdraw from among
my recent associates without an expression of the
warmth of affection for the members of the Naval
Consulting Board which I have already experienced,
and particularly for yourself whom I have revered
if I may say so frankly, above all other men as the
greatest philanthopist the world has ever known.

Deo. 27th. 1915.

Ur. Henry A. Wise Wood,

25 Uadis on Avenue,

Hew York City.

Uy dear Ur. Wood:

Your favor of the 22nd instant was
received, and read withTJ.gr eat deal of regret.

I am sorry that you feel compelled
to resign from the membership of the Haval
Consulting Board. We shall all miss the ad¬
vantage we might have derived from having you
with us.

fours very truly,

Randolph, Vermont, December 26, 1915.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Edison Laboratory,

Orange , N . J .

Dear Sir:

PROJECTILE FOR USE AGAINST WIRE. AIRCRAFT etc .
I have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your valued

favour of the 23rd, Inst.

Regarding my invention I beg to say that, after many prelim¬
inary tests of my device, in miniature .with results that warranted
the outlay, I have made a working model in steel, for a caliber
of approximately 75 m/m, or say about 3 inches.

Subject to some slight technical modifications this model
typifies the projectile as it would be made for actual use against
wire entanglements or aircraft in war; and I should be gratified
if I could have an opportunity of shewing it to Mr. Edison.

I expect to be in New York on the 28th, Inst., and shall bring
along the model.

Please inform me whether it will be possible to meet Mr. Edison
there .

Faithfully yours.

Deo. 27th. 1915.

hear Admiral Joseph Strauss, U. S. II.,

Chief, Ordnance Department,

JKavy. Department,

Washington, D. C.

Dear Admiral :

Do you know whether or not a registering calliper has
ever heen used on the outside of the gun when fired, to get the
height of the stress v/ave.

I have been trying some experiments to locate the pro¬
jectile after leaving the gun, without any loss of ponder pres¬
sure. In my experiments I use a catapult to obtain slow velocity
and thereby get maximum tumbling. I thon tried the correct the
tumbling by revolving the projectile. Che experiments are promis¬
ing. She rifling of a gun appears to me very objectionable.

Yours very truly/.

/.

f p>,

«.v at>.

,{/ (*> < !•'•«(*

At, 1l~~i

k r ft

a

A* C

S0 XjfirtA \Cv\OtX) CX ^(j&.C^^oXZit UY\ Cl

OcJtfcpZ'f Ua/> £**/* w^so( onT^e

p-u&i'eU d| p ^ trial

1*0 qe^'&S. ln*,t<Jwk ifte Are** LUoMi^

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t

J_ qortiApi. (o'&ew~TrT^vnci Ctrvnt €^p^*A/mevu&
1*o *j$yr<iXd£L 'f&e prO"|c<Sti(< et^fer iecu/i/ncj
'ir^e. Gu/n i»rut^<SK^ oa^-u <*/ pot^cW}

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C<$jo-u> uifoeiTCj a^o^er\wo^Xw«v<Av»
^«virfuv»ci 3[i€Ai"trvj"to
Gu Tt/ofu Jv»cj iftT prO't^C-t^ .e^enixw\W7
aK,e jiT^c^wk t-oLnncr , ~4& Vvicl^e mj-f'A'vej
a^eau^ uX<fV| <*-£- jccf? <cm ctM& ,

At the meeting of Committees of the Haval Consulting
Board, on the 22na instant, nothing of very serious import
took place, except of the meeting of the Committee on Ordnance
and Explosives, of which Hudson Maxim is Chairman.

She following are some <£ the notes I made, taken
from the conversation:

1. Ur. Hunt reported that a man named Weeden-fclarshall
came to Hew York and gave the license to someone to manufacture
his new gun. It was a shoulder type, weighs eight pounds. The
recoil is taken up hy some sort of mechanism that prevents the
gun from kicking. Expects to put one in the hands of Mr. Hunt
for test at an early datd.

2. Mr. Maxim attributes erosion to heat. Says the
effect is like that which would result if shooting a projectile
with steam in an ice gun. The inside surface would he melted
slightly.

3. Dr. Woodward wanted to cover the projectile with
some metal that will not wear the rifling, hut Maxim says
lubrication does not help any. It is a matter of temperature.

The inside skin of the gun is heated to great temperature.

Says that shooting a twelve-inch gun sufficient

energy to melt 750 pounds of cast iron.

4. Dr. Baekeland called attention to the danger of

a country blockading the nitrate fields of Chile, and recommended
a Government plant for the making of nitrate. Says it is
impossible to contruct a nitrating plant in less than a year,
and have it operative with trained staff. It is a government
enterprise, because nitrate of soda can now be purchased
commercially from Chile dheaper than it can be made by water¬
power. Maxim though nitrate of ammonia could be made under
four cents a pound. Baekeland says that even Horway with water¬
power at six dollars per horsepower year, has no mineral for
the manufacturing of- nitrate, but that nitrite (used in dyes)
gotten as a by-product, turns the tide in favor of a profit
to the extent of five percent dividends on the part of the
companies formed for the. purpose.

Dr. Baekeland says Germany is making nitrates,

but at great expense. But they are independent.

, Mr. Hunt^that a
3 might buy and sto

an alternative against building a
3 nitrates of soda in large ouantitiei

6. Dr. Baekeland recommends the expenditure of one
rtn-iiar<3 for a nitrating plant and to run one unit of
the^plant constantly to get the personnel expert in the handling
of it. Also buy nitrates in addition, and store them.

7 Mr. Hunt says that 250: tons of nitrate Per day,
for three years (1095 days) will total 273,000 tons whi* at
|?0 00 per ton present market price, will make an investment
of twelve million dollars to hold this quantity of nitrates
in storage.

8 Mr. Hunt thought that the Committee ought to cornpile
a report; trSJSit to the entire Board and have the Board

in turn transmit. it to the Davy Department as a warning.

9. Dr. Baekeland says eyanamide method is better

and after expending millions of dollars on it they

- . -la n K The cvanamide method is potassium chloride,

S1»,V requires oh.ap hors.pe.er,

10. Mr. Sprague suggested that Dr. Baekeland and Mr.

Hunt prepare a resort as to what the plant will consist of.

11. Dr. Baekeland thinks that means will have to: be
devised for tabling things 'through the Havy Department without
stirring up the Naval Officials antagonistically.

12 Mr. Sprague referred to delays of the Navy Dept,
in answering letters he had addressed to them.

M. 3. HUTCHISON

December 27, 1915.

Mr. Edison:

At the meeting of the Naval Consol ting Board,
on the evening of the 22nd instant, at the Engineering Societies
Building, there were present, beside the Board, Hear Admirals
Griffin, Strauss and Taylor, and Captain Smith.

A general discussion was entered into in reference
to gun erosion.

Strauss says that someone invented a smooth bore
gun somevears ago, with grooves cut spirally around the project¬
ile In In effort to spin the projectile without rifling being
in the gun. He says that it was not a success because of the
escape of the gases through these grooves , with resulting
decreased range of the guns.

Strauss says that they have i
testing erosive qualities of metals.

i apparatus for

As a rule, alloy steels erode worse than other

Plain carbon steel is the best.

No titanium alloy steel has been tried.

Mr. Laemme says that copper is the only material
that will not blister by heat.

Admiral Strauss says that the bore of the 14"
gun increases three one-thousandths of an inch each round.

Mr. Whitney is making a small valve with a very
thin skin of copper to see if erosion will not be cut
down when bullets are fired out of this valve.

Admiral Strauss says that the erosion at the end
of the bore does notamount to very much.

Admiral Strauss says the initial pressure in the
combustion chamber is 17 tons per square inch and the
pressure - when the projectile is just about to leave the gun
is five tons per square inch, on a 14" gun.

The rest of the time was taken up in general dis¬
cussion in the asking and answering of foolish questions in
which Professor Webster predominated a3 to the interrogation
part. Unfortunately, Mr. Saunders could not be present during
the first part of the meeting, but when things got to humming
and everybody was running around in circles, I went out and
got hold of Mr. Saunders, asking him to come in and preside.

As soon as he arrived, he put things into shape , and ve:y soon
thereafter, brought things to a close.

M. II. HUTCHISON.

Uuu. «*«^**2 ^

^A.msoa,^., U>^

Llewellyn Park, (f a, ^ ^

West Orange , II. J . y^riW <1-L-^* ‘ o*-*^

“xlZ&J- & H> ~ ■t'*l"i'‘'

In the Himes of last 1'riday there ia^n statement that you advise the

f'fr.ijL-i aa’v. -v» cwwvs

rohase by the Government of 100 fe&V of ljd at tidewater ana tno ^

srty of quoting a i>art of a

benefit of the Navy.. I .

u»Jk*JU fcv.

elocted a site, 1 think the pr<
aland may interest you^ I tal
r written uy me to iif^bter 0

\CrO

property

t October concerning t

southornmoet point on Staten Islt

iodod, high, dry and healthy.

ie kills, by rail via the

INTERNATIONAL CURTIS MARINE TURBINE COMPANY

2 Rector Street, New Y

utes talk with you about the United States Navy.

I have recently been asked to act as Chairman
of a sort of Naval Committee of the National Security
league and to read a paper before a Congress of the League
to be held in Washington on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd of
January. During the last fifteen years I have had a good
deal to do with the English, Herman and Japanese NavieB
and Shipbuilders, which are using five million or more
horse power of my steam turbines, as well as with the
United PtateB Navy, and 1 am naturally interested in all
sensible efforts to give the United States such a Navy
as it should have .

T have talked with some of the active men of
the Navy League, some of the Navy Advisory Board, and a
good many other men of prominence, and I am struck with

the great .desirability of a unanimity of purpose among the
different organizations working oh this matter.

Valuing most highly your views in regard to our
Navy, I should like to have a short talk with you, and if
you can spare a few minutes I will run out to West Orange
in my car at any time that will be most convenient to you.

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orango, K. J •

My Bear Mr. Edison:

I am in reoeipt of yoar letter of Beo. 27th enclosing copies of your
letters of that date addressed to Admiral Usher. I am sending a oopy of
your letters to each member of the Board with the request that they express
their opinion as to the desirability of the Hew York Eavy Yard as a place
for future meetings of the Board. I myself am heartily in favor of holding
all meetings there unless there happens to be at some particular time a
special reason for meeting in Washington or at some other point.

After the last meeting, in talking with Captain Burd, I told him
that if we could only arrange the matter of entertainment so that we could
provide our own luncheon, X felt sure that the Board would rather meet in
the Havy Yard than anywhere else. He expressed much satisfaction at this,
and as to the luncheon, he said that he must insist on our being his
guests at the next meeting, and that after that time we could do as we
liked. After we have heard from our members, I will see him again and
try to persuade him to give up the idea of entertaining us.

Hot being aware that you were writing Admiral Usher, I took it upon
myself to say that I had been officially instructed to thank him for his
kindness and so forth, as per copy of letter I enclose. X havejone^the
same with the Amerioan Institute of Mining Enj

verggp^/y y°^

TB/gt

'3SUHETABY.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES

Deo.

£9, 1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, K. J.

Dear Sir:

Mr. Edison has requested me to send you the enclosed
copies of his letters of Deo. 87th addressed to Admiral Usher,
and to ask your opinion as to seleoting the Hew York Bavy Yard
as our regular meeting plaoe. He adds:

m w8 BUouia arrange with an outside caterer to
serve a stand-up lunoh in the Board room or suoh
other room aB may he designated hy the Admiral
for future meetings. While we appreoiate the
spirit which prompts the officers to entertain us,
it muBt he horn in mind that suoh entertainment
has to he horn hy them personally. H

Will you kindly give me your views on this question?

Yours very truly, A

TB/gt

Eno.

SEORETAHY.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

h

ooir

Boo. 27, 1916.

My Bear Admiral :

On Behalf of the Havel Consulting Board,
of vtolch 1 have the honor of Being Chairman, I wish to
thank yon, Captain Burd, your reepeotive Staffe and the naval
Officers attaohed to the Yard end the shipB therein, for the
many oourtoBiee extended ub on the twenty-third of BeoemBer.

The Board Room is an ideal one. Ite
arrangement and decoration 1b exoellent, and the location
Beema to me the rational one for the future regular meetings
of our Board.

1 am BBking our Seoretary. Hr. BoBins, to
send a oopy of this letter to eaoh of the momBore to see if
they agree with me in settling upon thiB location aa a
permanent one for our future regular meetings. 1 will address
you further when the result of thie oanvass is reported to me.

Extending to you, one and all, our profound
renpeot and BeBt wiBhes for a Bright and happy Hew Year, I
remain

Very respect fully,

(signed) Thomas A. Edison
Chairman,

Haval Consulting Board
of the United States.

Rear Admiral Hathaniel R. Usher, U.
Commandant U. S. Havy Yard,
Hew York, U. Y.

I

!

(

A

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Dao. 27. 1915.

Ky Dear Admiral!

Ab Chairmen of the Havnl Con Baiting
Board., permit me to extend to Era. Usher and
your good eelf, our appreciation of and thanks
for the delightful hospitality enjoyed in your
house on the twenty-third of Ueoemher.

Please aooept, from the Board,
our respoot and heat wishes for a very happy
Hew fear.

fours sincerely,
(signed) Thos. A. Edison
Chairman

Savsl Consulting Board
of the United States.

Bear Admiral Kathaniel B. Usher, 0. B. S.
Commandant U. 8. JTary fard,
hew fork, £ . f.

Doc. 29t.li. 193!:

Mr. Charles 6. Curtis, •

5u International Curtis Marino Curbino Co.,

£ F.ector Street,

Hoy: York City.

Dear Mr. Curtis:

I received your favor of tiie 27th
instant, which has had my careful attention.

I shall he very glad to nee you at
any time that cults your convenience to come
ovor here. I am usually here' every day and
all day, hut 1 would suggest that you telephone
my .assistant, Mr. Meadowcroft, in advance of
your coming, to make sure that 1 Bhall he avail¬
able .

Yours very truly.

At the request of the Secretary of the Wavy,

I am about to undertake to form several companies oT llaval
Reserve from among our employees.

The Secretary says that if you will take the
initiative in doing this, a great many commercial concerns
will follow suit, and it will he of the utmost assistance
to the cause of preparedness.

I talked with you once before on this, when
we were at Washington on the Naval Consulting Board, and
you ;fcold me to go ahead.

I understood you to say, at the time, that
anvmen who would go into the Naval Reserve, you would
give the necessary two weeks leave of absence each Summer
to enable them to go on the practice cruise called for by
the regulations ./ wY n rteui* u/kih

In getting up these companies, I will; of
course, consult with Messrs. Wilson, Bachman, John Miller
and Mallory, so as not to have enough men absent from any
one department to interfere with the operation of that
department.

If the matter is handled as I enpect to
handle it. the resulting advertising will be of considerable
value in addition to the result that is bound to accrue
through the military training of several hundred men
in our organization.

Before going ahead actively in the matter,
I want to put the matter again before you.

M. R. HUTCHIS01U

ukB

(^c-<- *. ’ -~-k ' ^J^usie I

27 pine street>A^u l^^-

y ^ ^ew york,

*o£

Mr. Thomas Al^jjEdison,^

West Orange, H. J. >

Dear Sir:-

Under date of October 8th I addressed y.pu. in , *

^ JM*-****, CWfe

relation to a site for, the resea,££h laboratory with v/hioh
you are identified. ''"^Jnder date of October 20th I
received a letter from Mr. Rranklin D.? Roosevelt , Acting
Secretary of the Navy, in Mich'he'" inf ormed[me that you
had forwarded my letter to him; he does notst^te whether

you forwarded the Maps which I sent to you
not received theBe Maps, would it not be well
send him a set.

. Ipi

ell hr

he haB

X noticed in the Times reference to a stie which
you had under consideration on the Newark Bay. Possibly
you are not familiar with the conditions prevailing in this
Newark Bay through the v/inter months. There is a large
area of this Bay in which the water is very shallow and
it is all frozen over, sometimes for a matter of three or
four months. On account of the New Jersey Central bridge
at the lower end of the Bay, the ice backs in and covers
not only the flats of the Bay, but also seriously affects

#2. T. A. E.

the channel. I believe the depth of water in thiB channel
is not over 20 feet. By way of comparison, I might state
that the Staten Island Sound, which includes Arthur Kill
and Kill von Kull, during my experience as owner for
fifteen years, has never been frozen over and traffic has
never been interfered with by ice. The large propellers
and freighters which pass through this waterway keep it
from being closed. As you know, sane 33,000,000 tons
passed through thiB waterway last year. Our depth of
water at low tide is 25 feet, and vessels 27 to 28 feet
draught can dock at our property.

I am enclosing you another set of Maps so that
if you have parted with yours you will have a new set. for
reference.

Very truly yours.

(Enclosures)

1

*

Leu. 3Jfih. Itflu.

Ur. Frederic De P. Foster,

44 Vi all Stroet,
ilew Yort City.

Soar Sir:-

X have received your favor of
the Ji'/th instant, and in reply beg to say
that I shall probably advise tho Govern¬
ment where to locate tho Experimental Lab¬
oratory. in the near future I contemplate
going over a considerable territory for
tho purpose of finding a desirable loca¬
tion.

Are you in position to name an
approximate prico for the whole of the
property you refer to, or for 100 acres

IIbk uvA ?SVi s is >Vo oi)

December 30th., 1915.

My dear Hr. Edison: -

Thanks for your jrourteous
letter of the 37th, the sentiments oi/which X
greatly appreciate.

It did not oc$sur to me that
X could not carry along at the same time my work
for the national defense movement and tne technical
work which I had wished to do upon the Board, until
Mr. Saunders told me several weeks ago that my
criticisms of the Administration's recommendations
had disturbed some of my associates, who felt them
to he inimical to the best interests of the Board.

I needed no further intimation than this to make
it clear to me where my duty lay, and thereupon
made up my mind to resign from the Board so soon
as I should become convinced that the Administration
was determined not to enlarge its program, so that
my activities should not jeopardize the success of
the tremendous undertaking which you have put on
foot.

How bitterly it has hurt me
to surrender the long wished for opportunity to
collaborate with you as a devoted disciple only the
immediate members of my family are aware.

Cordially,

Committee on Chemistry afnd Physios,

U.S. Havel Consulting hoard

Dear Sir:

• I hove reooived copy of Professor Richards’
suggestion on phosphide homhs for submarine signals.

ThiB raises a praotioel question on whioh I hod planned
to write you todey.

I am trying to help Mr. Edison hy getting out
at short notioe blueprints of the floors of the Physios
and Chemistry laboratory. In oonneotion with this I

had thought that, the problems whioh oome under the head
of PhysioB and Chemistry and whioh should be undertaken
in that laboratory, oould well bo attaohed to the plans
themselves. 1’or example, referring to Hoom 10. In
thiB room is supposed to he undertaken suoh physiool work
as rofers to wireless signalling, amplifiers, oto. This
might include oil suoh apparatus as required vaouum ap¬
paratus. Another room, say Ho. 11, is devoted to the
use of liquid air, oomprosBed oxygon, eto., in oonneotion
with fuels or power for torpedoes.

Of course there is no intention of confining
any particular room entirely to a single problem, but I
thought it might be well to show that there are very
definite ana important problomo for which roomB could
be prepared. It in in this connection that I should
like tory much to oolleot the suggestions of members of
the Committee, so that the choice of specific investigations
would be a good one. If each member will prepare such
a list as soon as possible I will incorporate it into
the preliminary plana, which I assume must go to Mr.

Edison within a very few days. I will attempt to
incorporate also any suggestion you may make in connection
with the construction of the laboratory or the details
of the equipment.

A few of tho problems which would naturally
bo attacked in thin laboratory are the following, most
of which are from the list given us hy the Havy Department:

1. increasing the "life" of the gyroscope
for tho torpedo.

It is possible that in a highly
ovaouatod spaoo the gyroscope oould
he oonstruoted and operated without
meohanionl connection to the ^Bgered
anorp-7 used in operating the valves,
but conns o tod in somo other non-consuming

2, Hydrogen from storage batteries,
itB detootion and removal.

3. Detecting submarines at a distanoe.

Cortain experiments on sound oo Damns
in water seem to ub of inter BRt here.

4. light , non-inflammable deck oovering.

Do you agree that something like a
magnesium oxide, magnesium chloride
asbestos mixturoa might repay in¬
vestigation?

5. Oil oooling for small Diesel engines.

Shis is a physical or thermal con¬
duction problem, but I think it would
soon bo found that the phaotioal prob¬
lem involves the polymerizing of the oil
on tho hot surfaoe and the more or less
rapid diminution of tho ability of the
oil to remove the heat from the hot sur¬
face. Simple laboratory experiments
would show whether this is oorreot or not.

6. Alloys for speoiflo purposes, suoh as
non-oorroding exterior portion of gun
mechanisms for the externally mounted
submarine gum. I believe that the
study of the aluminum-0 opper alloys is
important in this oonneotion.

7. Condenser and boiler tube material.

Various alloys should be tried for
these uses. It seems now as tho
Calorized copper is a promising material.

8. Exploaivo mixtures.

In oonnootion with Professor RiohardB'
suggestion, would it moot with you r approval to refer
thiB to the Havy Department an a problem suitable for
investigation in the proposed laboratory, or would
you prefer that suggestion be made that it be investi¬
gated at onoe, and if bo, by whom? It seems as <ho
thore might be problems such as thin where a definite
Buggoetion by ue that it bo investigated at onoe by
some laboratory (for example, a oollege laboratory),
might be a proper disposition.

YourB very truly,

WRW ; 0 (Sgd. ) W. R. WHITNEY

T. Robins
T.A.Bdl80n
Hr. Hewitt
Ur. Sounder b

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HOUGH IJiEft.

1 building 300* X 60' - 4 stories Machine shop, small stuff, space for

2 more •

2 buildings 60’ X 300' no columns - 1 story, large stuff, space for 3
raoro - dirt floor.

1 forge shop - 60' X 160’ - 1 story.

1 foundry iron - 60* X 160* large cupola melt 10 tons, 1 small cupola,
iron, 1 brass furnace, dirt floor.

1 boilor and power house supply power (oloctric) and lighting - com¬
pressed air.

Pattern and carpenter shop 60* X 160* isolated.

Boilor and shoot metal shop 60* X 160' isolated.

1 building 4 stories, 60* X 300* - Chemical research laboratory,
physical research laboratory.

Explosive experiment ana research building, light frame and corrugated
iron - 60' X 160* - 1 story. Small building .for drying, 1 for storage
separated and isolated.

General store building supplies 60* X 200* - 4 stories.
Administration building - draughting, etc., - 4 stories 60' X 200*

Proving ground for small tests, inter electric ii. B.
nothing combustible in any building.

Steel benching - furniture, building all concrete, steel sash wired
glass, All modem factory construction.

Sapidity of experimenting' Ih mechanical branch diroctly in proportion
to tho duplication of machinos, tools.

Best method - subdivide drawings, put a man on every part and finish
at once instead of a few men on all the parts.

Bosoarch work is slow, but 86$. will bo moohanleal.

The building can be built for 10 cents per cubic foot of content.

This is a 6 million proposition ultimately ana 2 l/2 should bo appro¬
priated at once.

Tho less said to Congress the better, no pleading or arguments to give
riso to endloos talk but lot tho board agroo upon a sum which in thoir
host judgment will give a proper Laboratory without undue delay and
state what amount is necessary. Then Congress can ao bb it pleaBes.

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J.Uvu—$Zk.ur - - —

Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Subjects -- Range and Direction Finders (1915)

This folder contains technical notes prepared by phonograph
experimenter Absalom M. Kennedyfor chief engineer Miller Reese Hutchison.
They pertain to the design and operation of a combined mechanical-electric
range and direction finding system to aid in gun targeting.

All of the documents have been selected.

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Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1916)

mmm

Mershon.

-sirfi’SKSEsSSS

mmmm

submissions, alt ang with ^Tjteadowcroft. Also unselected are numerous

ESS

SSSS--

Naval Consulting Board
and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence
January-June 1916

HuXek- White Horse, Chester County, Penna,

U^c January 4th, 1916.

Thomas A. Edison, ^

Orange, N. J. «-l Aj> , •

Dear Sir:- |Wm> «Um ™-w £Urt-

In the hope of enlisting your fn t^est^juponj^ ^abject

which I have had at heart forsome time, ^namely that of gfvipg- the
unfortunate crew in a sunken sub-marine, a chance to escapS dilve ,
and reach a point of safety, I take the liberty to submit specifica¬
tions and crude drawings for a life boat, which is intended to be
attached or rather sunken in a cradle upon the deck of submarines.

You will note I have submitted these plans to Secretary
Daniels, and also the result. However I feel sure the idea is a prac¬
tical one and so far as .1 am able to learn, much superior to anything
they now have.

I believe if you took the matter in hand, the sketches
redrawn more clearly, possibly a model made, experiments etc., more
consideration and importance would be attached and possibly so much
stress would not be laid on "a sacrifice of military features", but
rather adopted for the sake of humanity.

In the hope my poor efforts may be of interest to you,
I beg to remain.

Very respectfully.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

yio

CtitruiPc

| /)ylmI<* fr^'x- _

Uuw/t, Jn/i/tss' f ^

. >WOv>-«

-?Un2.

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,: 4k

' c>uM -v^r /^Wj
' (J 'AJmXw*

f . <bUx •m

f H-omoA

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

a. <*o ^

j=. Lf- ^ '

^UuL W<mJ fir

/task ^ ^

\ on j/b ^ .^CjWa^ ‘*'*‘■4

C4uJiwrtf^l7L^<

1 SZ^tR

I /WW 'GW

^Www\

/ywrrL A' UAJhvUfo
^ dM%F ^uU ,

^ ^izi/J&rj

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

s£d I trcw^r

^Cu^i^'^XUo "*f

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TIk n iiv A AVi sis Wo oi>

w**\ 1 „ C

rt. * ■£ww' 1 1.

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'T

THOMAS A. EDISON, Esq. , ,. . ’ -K OjSb**^ wn

0r*”5'- ”' ,-^^<u-rs^W- W-p~**

MLMWWt! C*~«-h‘J.W

My dear Mr. Edison: -

^ _ _ ”*

fl?e National Security league I lag,)

which is the largest organization working for de- p
fense, is to hold a National Security Congress i

Washington on January 20th, 21st, and 22nd, at WA ,

which it is purposed to have read papers on ap- * i /

propriate subjects, prepared by, the best minds , Jy

in this country - Mr. Roosevelts among thorn. The
enclosed announcement will give you further info u» i vk

As this Congress will be of^®
great national importance, and cannot fail to ef-rt
feet favorable protective legislation, which is sd" :/
urgently needed, I am going to beg you to prepare
for it a paper dealing with the Naval Consulting /

Board and its laboratory project. If this subject/
is not dealt with at all it is apt to be considered
as of minor importance, whereas if a paper written
■by you can “be read, setting forth the “benefits to
“be derived from this most necessary institution, its
value will be reimpressed upon the country and upon
Congress, and the legislation which you most ..earnest¬
ly desire will the more easily be got.

Although, unfortunately, I am
no longer a member of the Board, I have its interests
at heart, and shall use every available means to
assist you to carry out your undertaking.

U.

«UL. X-

'7'-, , If- fsrcnxorvy *** *9SE^ ‘ ^

.ct C^rf <ny^cJ.U<

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

New York, December 30, 1915.

We earnestly request you to act as a delegate to the NATIONAL SECURITY CONGRESS in Washington
The future and perhaps the existence of the nation b dependent upon adequate preparedness for national del
against attack. More than thb, security u not yet planned. .

Each individual owes an obligation to the nation. Thb means every member of the NaUonal Security League.

To secure adequate preparedness b the greatest obligation now resting upon each American citizen. YOU

i January 20-22, 1916.
». We are not secure

do your part by your

presence at this Congress.

Let nothing interfere with your attendance.
We confidently expect an affirmative reply.

Preparedness is worth all the sacrifice you may have to make.

HERBERT BARRY, New York. N. Y.
CHARLES BIDDLE, Ptiiledclptiie. Pa.
GEORGE T. BUCKINGHAM. Chicane, III.
CHARLES H. COLE Boston. Mass.
GEORGE H. HARRIES. Omaha, Neb.

S. STAN WOOD MENKEN. New York. N.Y.

. Committee on Scope of Wort

WILLET M. SPOONER, Milwaukee, Wis.

J. MAYHEW WAINWRIGHT. Rye, N. Y.
CHARLES B. WARREN, Detioit. Mich.
ERIC FISHER WOOD, New York, N. Y.
HENRY A. WISE WOOD, New York. N.Y.
HENRY WOODHOUSE New Yo.k, N. Y.

:, Notional Security Congress

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE NATIONAL
SECURITY CONGRESS.

EALIZING that to ascertain the extent of the country s need for national P P

“ . , ,P /roneress which will be an open forum for presentation and discussion of the vital
° °, . , referred to by men of recognized eminence in their respective vocations.

will be three sessions on each of these days.

The following subjects will be discussed :

World politics and our country’s relation thereto.

The obligation of the individual to the nation.

Methods of organization adopted by competitive nations for
their own advancement.

THE NAVY OUR FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE.

NECESSARY NAVAL POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.

In connection with this part of the program of the congress there will be considered :

(a) Equipment necessary to support this policy, in material and personnel.

\b) Facilities necessary to create and support this equ.pment.

(1) Public yards.

(2) Private yards.

(3) Correlated industries.

\i(c) The naval consulting board.

(d) The relation of mercantile marine to the modern navy.

(e) The importance of intercoastal waterways.

(/) Elimination of waste and inefficiency.

LAND FORCES.

A. Ik. regular lb. ^ k« — l~f “i" “ij?.

and the location thereof.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

VOLUNTEER LAND FORGES.

In connection with this subject the following will be discussed :

(a) Universal training and democracy.

(4) Swiss and Australian systems.

(c) Strengthening of the militia.

(d) Co-operation of employer and employe to increase militia.

(e) The development of auxiliary forces of professional men, such as, Civil,

Mechanical and Transportation engineers.

COAST DEFENSES.

The expert view of our needs.

AERONAUTICS, NAVAL AND MILITARY.
Our needs in material and personnel.

UTILIZATION OF NATIONAL RESOURCES.

This subject includes discussion of :

(a) Industrial preparedness.

(4) Mobilization of industry.

(c) Good roads.

(d) Motor transportation.

In addition to the above the following general subjects will be dealt with:

LABOR'S PART IN PREPAREDNESS.

WOMAN'S PART IN PREPAREDNESS.

THE EFFECT OF PREPAREDNESS UPON AGRICULTURE.

THE LEGAL SIDE OF PREPAREDNESS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE
TO ESPIONAGE LAWS.

The purpose ol the Congress is, through constructive work and with the aid of the best
minds of the Country, to increase public knowledge of the varied problems affecting a national
policy of preparedness, and to support and insure the enactment of laws providing for adequate
defense on strictly scientific lines. .... ,

A large number of representative men have already accepted invitations to take part
in the program, but the details will not be made public until a later date. The League has
designated a committee consisting of Charles Biddle, of Philadelphia. Geo T. Buckingham, of
Chicago, Gen. Chas. H. Cole, of Boston. Gen. Geo. H. Harries, of Omaha, Willet M. Spooner,
of Milwaukee, Charles B. Warren, of Detroit, J. Mayhew Wainwnght, of Rye, N. Y., Henry
A Wise Wood and Henry Woodhouse, of New York, together with S. Stanwood Menken,
the President of the National Security League, and Herbert Barry, the Secretary, to take charge
of this work. The right to vary above program and define rules for the Congress is reserved by
the Committee.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Announcement of the national Security
Congress

WASHINGTON, JANUARY JO, J1 AND 22, W16

RECOGNIZING .hat .here can be no national security except through .he development of
the individual's sense of obligation to the State, the Nanonal Secunty League proposes to
. 11 p for the oresentation and discussion of the vital issue of preparedness. It

involved and to encourage the enactment of laws providing for ^“ate defense

The Congress will be held in Washington on January 20th, 2 1st and 2Zd, im M

first session beginning at 2 p. m„ on January 20th. There will be three sessions on each
following days.

The following subjects will be discussed :

World politics and our country’s relation thereto.

^Organization methods adopted by competitive nations.

Obligation of the individual to the nation.

Mobilization of transportation and industrial resources.
Elimination of waste and inefficiency.

Laws relating to espionage.

Council, of national defense.

NAVAL POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.

Equipment and personnel.

Governmental and private facilities.

Mercantile marine.

Naval and military aeronautics.

MILITARY POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES.

Regular and militia forces.

Coast defenses.

Facilities. . _

Auxiliary forces of professional men.

Universal training and democracy.

The League has designated a committee consisting of Charles Biddle, of Philadelphia

Barry, Secretary, to take charge of this work.

For the Committee,

ERIC FISHER WOOD,

Secretary, National Security Congress,

31 Pine Street,

New York City.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

The National Security League, Inc.

JAMES B. ANGELL,
Michigan.

JAMES M. BECK,

Maryland.

R. LIVINGSTON BEECKMAN, FRANCIS V. GREENE,
Governor of Rhode bland. Buffalo.

LUTHER E. HALL. .

31 PINE STREET. NEW YORK CITY
NATIONAL COMMITTEE

DAVID R. FRANCIS. . CHARLES R- MILLER

Ex-Governor ol Missouri. Governor of Delaware.

PHILLIPS LEECOLDSBOROUGH, JAMES^McCREARV,^
w. g. McDonald,

Governor of Nevada.
C. B. BURR,

Michigan.

FRANCIS M. BYRNE,

CH Ad^aSntHG«n°alEk V. M.
FREDERICK R. COUDERT,

New York.

JAMES GOOLD CUTLER,

New York.

CHARLES L. DERING,

Chicago.

JACOB M. DICKINSON,

Ex-Secretary of War, Chicago.
THOMAS A. EDISON,

New Jersey.

JAMES E. FERGUSON,

ARCHIBALD C. HART,
New Jersey.

MYRON T. HERRICK.

Ex-Governor of Ohio.
JOHN GRIER HIBBEN. .

MARCUS H. HOLCOMB,

PHILANDER C. KNOX.

GEORGE WHARTON PEPPER,
Philadelphia.

E. L. PHILIPP,

Governor of VI
GEORGE HAVE!

THEODORE ROOSEVELT,

New York.

SAMUEL V. STEWART,
Governor of Montana.
HENRY L. STIMSON,

HORACE WHITE,

New York.

THEO. E. WIEDERSHEIM,
Philadelphia.

JAMES WITHYCOMBE,
Governor of Oregon.
LUKE E. WRIGHT,

Birmingham, Ala.
Mobile, Ala.
Montgomery, Ala.

Savannah, Ga.
Chicago, Ill.

Joliet, III.

Springfield, III.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Keokuk, Iowa

BRANCHES OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY LEAGUE
Topeka, Kans. MontcIair^N. J.

'ille,.Pa.
rmiadelphia, Pa.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
WUkes-Barrei Pa.

Chattanooga, 1
Memphis, Tenr

City Branch, Kans. Elizabeth, N. J.

Lawrence, Englewood, N. J.

University of Kans., Kans. Hackensack, N. J.

Univ. of Min, Minn. Niagara Falls, N.
St. Paul, City Branch, Minn. Pcekskill, N, Y.
Sfc Paul, Hamlin University Syracuse, N. Y.
and St. Thomas College, Utica, N.

Minn. Watertow

Jackson, ^Miss.^ S&'jS'J

St Joseph, Mo,

St Louis, Mo.

Lincoln, Neb.

University of N
Omaha, Neb.

Fargo. N. D.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio t
Elyria-Lorain, Ohio

Jan. 7th. 1916.

Mr. Henry a. V.iee Wood,

26 Madison avenue ,

Hew York City.

My dear Mr . V.ood :

I have received your favor of the fifth instant
in regard to the propoBod meeting of the national Soourity Con-
gross, and have noted its contents as also those of the papers
accompanying your letter.

I am no hand at preparing papers, as that sort
of thing is entirely outside of my lines. X am going to stiok
close to actual work, and have nearly completed blue prints of
the plane, details and machinery and everything for the pro¬
posed Government Laboratory. These should be finished next
week, together with a report of the approximate cost. In addi¬
tion, I have sevoral men experimenting at the present on the
erosion of guns, which to my mind is a very important subject, as
erosion limits the size and fang of big guns.

I would greatly prefer not to say anything about
the Ilaval Consulting Board, but am willing, however, to appear
before the Congressional Ilaval Board if so deBired and stand
cross examination.

Yours very truly,

January 7, 191£

Hr. Edison:

The following gentlemen constitute the
Uaval Affairs -Committee of the Senate:

Benjamin Tillman of Sputh Carolina
Claude A. Swanson, of Virginia
IJathan P. Bryan, of Florida
Charles ?. Johnson, of Maine
"'illiam S. Chilton, of ’.Vest Va.

James A. O'Gorman, of I!ew York
John V/alter Smith, of Maryland
jjjmes Hamilton lewis , of Illinois
Boies Penrose, of Pennsylvania
Hoses S. Clapp, of Minnesota
Henry Cahot lodge, of Hass.

•Milli am Alden Smith, of Mich.

Harold S. Page, of Vermont
Miles Poindexter, of Washington.

1.1. R. HUTCH ISOii.

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES

Jan. 7, 1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange,

Hew Jersey,

s-1* ^ J

Dear sirs \J A ' ' "*

In lino with tho roport which was made ob Chalrma\of the
Committee on Production. Organisation .Manufaoturo and Standardization at
the loot mooting of the Board in tho Brooklyn Havy Yard, I attondeO a
mooting today at whloh tho following wore prosont:

Dr. D.S • Jooohuo.Proaidont of tho Amorioan Sooiety of r.oohanioal

Engineers,

Kr. J.J. Carthy, Preoidont of tho American Institute of Electrical
Knginocrs,

Dr. Ctas.H.Herty, ^resident of the Amorioan Chomical Sooiety,

Mr. Ola e. Carron Hunt, Socrotary of the American Society of Civil
Engineers,

«r. ff.Ii. Saunders, President of tho American Instituto of Mining
Kngineors, and member of tho Committee on
Production, Organization, Manufacture and
Standardization of tho "aval consulting
Board.

Mr. Thomas Eobino, comb or of tho Committoo on Production,

Organisation, Manufaoturo and Standardization
of tho Havel Consulting 3oard,

Mr. H.E. Coffin, Chairman of tho Committee on Production, Organization,
Kanufaoturo and Standard! eat ion of tho .laval
Consulting 3oard.

After a groat deal of general discussion, it was deoidod to ask
the urosidont of tho United Staton through the Sooretary of the I^vy. to. ^
write a lettor to tho President of oaoh ono of tho Societies mentioned above
asking him to soouro tho co-operation of his Sooiety in effecting the
nomination for appointment by the Socrotary of tho navy, of a representative
from oaoh Society in oaoh State in the Union, who will be oxpoctod to
in an Asoooiate oapaoity undor tho sub-committee on 1 011 ’

Kanufaoturo and Standardization, and through 1

Consulting Board, in getting data which will assist' 1" C **

manufacturing lndustrios of tho country to serve tho Government.

While wo all agreed that cany other Sociotion might render
valuable service, yet it was thought dosirahle to rentriot the
membership to a smaller rather than a larger number, as being more conducive
to effective work, and furthermore, it was felt that the more specialised
Societies wore represented in tho membership of those mentioned.

I would be very much obliged if you will exrroBD your approval or
disapproval of this plan at your earliest convonionco by lettor addreooed
to no, core of i'r. Shomac r.obino, Soorotary ’[aval Consulting Board,

13 Park Bow, How York City.

Yours very trul^- _ ^ .

Chairman

Committee on Production,
Organization,

Kanufacturo and
Standardisation.

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

January 8, 1916

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, D.J.

Dear Mr. Edison:

I am hurraing off to you one oopy of blue¬
prints of proposed physical and chemical laboratory.
If this agrees with your ideas and you care for more
copies, please telegraph me.

Yours very truly.

Y/RY7 : C

January 10, 1916

iir. -Edison:

I find tho Committee on Aeronautics of the Haval
Consulting Board did invite representatives of practically
all the large aeroplane companies of the United States to
attend a meeting held at the Engineering Societies Bldg,

Hew York City, last week.

nothing was said to you, as Chairman of the Board,
that such a meeting was to he held.

It seens to me as Chairman of the Board, you should
know that such an important meeting is to he held, heoause I
could go in and see what's gointr on, and keep you posted.

I suggest it would he a good scheme to write a
letter to Robins, politely suggesting that you he notified
when any such important meeting as that is to he held in future.

I understand the ^eronatical Society is very much
upset heoause they were not invited 1,0’ attend the conference,
whereas the Society of Aeronautical Engineers did participate.

If that hunch in the Board gets hailing things up so that
engineering societies will he fussing am ong themselves, with
the personal eouation so strong as it is on the subject of
being against the Aeronautical Society, it will cause friction
in the Board.

You, as Chairman, should he apprised of any
mooting in which outside people are to he called, and such meeting
as that should have your sanction before it can he held.

M. R. HUTCHISOH

Hotel Seville

January 10th. 1916

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

The Edison laboratory.
Orange, IT. J.

Bear Sir:-

Your valued favor of the 5th. inst. , addressed to
Randolph, Vermont, has been forwarded to me here.

I thank yon for your courtesy and shall bring the
model of my projectile to your laboratory tomorrow, nt
about 10 A. II. .

Yours faithfully.

* January lOtli , 1916.

BHOMAS a. BBI80H, Esq.,

Orange, II.

Uy dear Ur. Edison: -

Shanks very much for yours
of the 7th. Your energy is amazing. Of course
under the circumstances I could not think of
asking you to shoulder another burden, and shall
aSk either Saunders or Baekeland to prepare papers,
if they wish.

Cordially,

Jan. 11th. 1916.

Hr. Thomas Robins,

IS Park Eov.,

Hew York City.

My dear fir. Robins:

Enclosed herewith you will find
a letter from Wiliam S. Crane of Randolph, Vt.,
together with photographs, descriptions, ana draw¬
ings of a projectile for use against wire entangle¬
ments, aircraft, etc.

:.ir. Crane has called to see me
this morning, and he has consented that I for¬
ward those papers to you to be submitted to the
proper committee.

Yours very truly.

Enclosures .

Jan. 11th. 1916.

ilx. Shomas Robins,

13 Bark Row,

Hew York City.

Dear Ur. Robins:

I am in receipt of your favor
of the seventh instant, reporting as to the
results of a meeting of the Committee on Pro¬
duction, Organization, Manufacture and Standard¬
ization held on the samo day.

I approve of the plan outlined

in your letter.

fours very truly.

/[/A

C#tMSO>lT7W<S

January 11,1916

General Electric Co.,

#20 Church Street,

Her; York City.

Gentlemen: -

We are writing you for information
on Motors ana Generators, liotli A. C. and A. 0.

Kr. Edison has instructed no to get
all necessary data on equipment far Ravel consulting
Board of which he is Chairman.

For the Power House we will require
generating units of 1000 K. W. including switchboard.
Per Machine Shops we require motors from 1/2 H.P. up to

and including 40 H.P.

If you have blueprints giving overall

dimensions. Photos and other data, we would thank you
for sending us same.

Your b tmly,

CHIEF DRAUGHPSKAH .

Address letters, etc.
to R. H. Simpson,

Edison laboratory .Orange ,H. J.

IIliNltY AAVisn Wooi>

SmvYorli January 11th, 1916.

THOMAS A. EDISON, Esq.,
Orange, H. J.

I Vr

My dear Mr. Edison:-

In connection with the

Aero Cliib of America Banquet to^ori-oKnight I
should like to say for myself^ and associates
that nothing will he said by any of us in crit¬
icism of the Administration or of any branch
of the service. /

The Banquet will be one of
general amity and good/', will, its purpose being
to impress the nation' with the dignity and prao-
ticalSit-y of the aeronautic movement.

/ Therefore X hope with all
my heart that you will come - which you may do
with the assurance that no man shall be permitted
to carry into the room verbal high explosives1.

Cordially,

NAVY DEPARTMENT

BUREAU OF ORDNAI
WASHINGTON. D.

3 of 7

(Al)-O

My dear Mr. Edison:

I have been a Tt_, _ w _ _ .

letter of December 27th, and X apologize for my i
gleet. I made some inquiries on Receiving it, to
asoertain whether or not any one else had made the
measurements you inquired about, end as far as I can
learn they have not: we never made them.

In a well constructed gun the actual expansion
of the outside diameter when the powder pressure is
on can be readily calculated, and if you wish I can
procure them for you, and I believe they will be
correct within practical limits.

I am deeply interested in the fact that you have
gone into the matter of rifling and erosion, and
hope that with your energy and the facilities that
you enjoy, much good will come of it.

X hope to arrange with Hutchison some day very
soon a visit to you so that we may talk over the
whole matter with as much time as you care to give
me .

Very sincerely yours,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, Hew Jersey.

4o-SEAi

■«7'terfctS:csr-S

QjL&lV ’^.y eijr &- ’Cc^fc

[I

W. A. Meadowcroft, Esq.,

" — The Thomas A. Edison Laboratory,

?)0 \ Orange, II. J.

Dear Sir:

y V/IRE DESTROYING PROJECTILE.

My anxiety to have my invention tested by field
experiments, and to get it into actual life-saving service on
the battle fronts of Europe must be my apology for again dis-
traoting the attention of so busy a man as your good self.
Tumbling in Plight: You remember Mr. Edison specified this
as the condemning feature of projectiles with extending flukes
or blades. That is true of projectiles having their flukes
hinged, or otherwise attached, in the forward part of the
body, and those which open upon emerging from the gun. In my
device the blades are pivoted in the rear part of the projec¬
tile and are securely locked in their closed position in corres¬
ponding channels. In this condition the projectile, fired from
a service rifled gun, has as great a range and aB true a flight
as any projectile of similar caliber.

The simple mechanism for releasing the blades can be
timed to accuracy equal to that of shrapnel or other shells, to
act, say 50 or even 100 yards short of the object of attack.

The weight of metal in the forward part of the body of the pro¬
jectile, and the atmospheric resistance acting againBt the open

■blades , operate exactly as in the case of the small boy's
feathered dart. It cannot change its head-on flight.

You will note that the blades open to an angle raking
aft about 12° from a right angle with the axial line of the
body, which heightens its similarity to a dart in flight.

Let me repeat that my tests of the device, in miniature
proved the correctness of the foregoing.

Because it is so urgently needed I am most anxious
that the proper expert artillery officials make the tests which,
for obvious reasons, I myself am unable to make.

Forgive my persistence and prolixity and believe me.

Faithfully yours,

Jan. 14th. 1916.

Mr. V. illifira S. Crane,

Kanaolph, Vt.

Dear Sir:

I received your favor of the 11th
instant in regard to your wire destroying
projectile, and submitted the same to Mr.
Edison. He wishes me to write and say to you
that he thinks your scheme will probably go
through the Haval Consulting Board too slowly
to suit you. His idea is that perhaps you
had better take it up direct with the military
and get a quick test.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Mr. Edison.

York. January 14th, 1916.

Jan. 17th. 1916.

Mr. Frodorio Foster,

44 Wall Street,

Hew York City.

Bear Sir:

Your favor of the 14th instant c on¬
coming Mr. Charles H. l.eland's property on
Staten Island has boon reooived. The price
of this property would bo too high, and ooside,
the plot contains more land than will be needed
Yours very truly.

/

E SECRETARY

Mr- Thomas A. Edison,
Orange , .

My Dear Mr- Edison:

W 'Jr*

r

r*v

I beg to acknowledge receipt of letter
from W. 3. Crane, Randolph, Tt- , together with
photographs, descriptions and drawings of a projectile
for use against wire entanglements, airoraft, etc.,
which yon have forwarded to this office.

In accordance with our praotice, these
papers have been forwarded to the ilavy Department for
consideration.

Y/e herewith submit to you a. Rescript in of the
■property which we have presented .or the consideration of Ue suh
committee on laboratory of the Haval Advisory Council-

\7ith this letter I am also sending, under separate
cover, a blue print showing the location of property Jg^taiB-
Corporation owns at ihe foot °f bunts -.011 t’.-c outline of Hew’^ork

Sorou-di of the Bronx, and also a map snowin^ une ouoiinc ui
Harbor and the many military fortixications oy whien unis location
is protected, both by the entrance from tno ocean oy way 01 Ionu
Island Sound and also from lower nay.

She property contains over two hundred acrosof
land with a frontage of about thirty seven J™tee4 ises °n jho rtBl

the property.

She entire property is now being der

the lines of the Bush Terminal. All of the construction work i- under
contract and will be completed within the next six months.

?/lien the dredging is completed there will tie tnirty
feet of water at low tide at the bulkhead line from which piers ill
f 'one of these niors will bo one thousand feet m length
and of solid°fill tyoc? On that part of the property west of hunts

8X JSfS

Tlio copulation of the Borough of tho Bronx at
excelled labor market.

Tho r-eogr; nhieal location of tho property makes

KSSW82 RS.1SSS. «£ «a«bo„i p™-

Thornes A. Edison, Esq.,

-2-

1/18/16

tootion is insured within the limits of the city hy Forts Totten
and Schuyler. The approach from the ocean l>,y way o.u the lo .er B-i
is proteotod by Forts Sandy Hook, Hamilton anu iadswortn.

This Corporation

term lease for a large plot of land
ings as may bo required.

will entertain favorably
a or for tho land with sue

yjf ^ J-U

for BROITX SSK1IIIAX. COEPOHASIOU.

ARTHUR O. HALL
> Attarnfjl at Siam

TELEPHONE SOUTH IOSI

Mr. ShoB. A. Raison,
Chairman, Advisory Board,
ITavy Dept. , 7ashington, B.

Bear Sir:

v.Jcnuary 18th, 1916.

■^aiH euM 2 1

^ jr i T

t-jch »«* fr**"-® \

I h.« . .ii.»t »o i»

aeroplane and who is desirous of submitting same to jfcur hoard. Ke
has not secured letters Patent or made application therefor and is
desirous to know whether if same is submitted to your board together
with a model and specifications or such information as your board may
require, if it will be protected, that is, no information publioly
disolosed with reference to same. If your board is desirous to inves¬
tigate this invention, I shall send to you drawings and specifications
and such other information as you may desire. Please let me hear from
you at;- your earliest convenience.

Respectfully yours,

Jan. 26th. 1916

Mr. Arthur C. Ball,

10 West Pourth Street,

Newport, By.

hear Sir:

Your favor of the 18th instant has been
received, and Ur. Edison requests us to suggest
that your client should write out a description of
his invention with drawings and have the Bame dated
and signed by himself and two witnesses. ChiB is
for your client’s protection. He could then send
a copy of the description and drawings (not the
originals) to Mr. Edison, who will forward the Bame
to the ilaval Consulting Board, where it will be
referred to the Aeroplane Committee.

Yours very truly,

EdiBon laboratory.

THE SPERRY GYROSCOPE COMPANY

- PARIS - MILAN - TOKIO - HAMBURO
PETERSBURG - FIUME - COPENHAGEN
STOCKHOLM - CONSTANTINOPLE

, Thomas A. Edison

So Orange, New Jersey,
Dear Mr. Edison:

MANHATTAN BRIDGE PLAZA
BOROUGH BROOKLYN
NEW YORK CITY

January 20, 1916. -

LLp

ktjjr puc^G OJ^

• ztz* TV**/.

Sooner or later, of course, the matter-of location Lt.f*

A/(iLtev<w L- tv*

of the Naval Laboratory will ccm| iip for ^c onjpder A^on.^ ^

In the original resolution passed lpy the Board, some

to the most dgsirable location,
'#WScT by the

specifications were made
and it occurred to me that the site of;

Bronx Terminal Corporation (concerning which this company
is writing you) complied with practically all of the
requirements originally set forth. Upon finding that
the owners were open to some sort of an arrangement for

the use of their property, I asked them to furnish me
with details, which I forwarded to Mr. Whitney, who
in turn suggested that duplicate copies be sent to you
and to Mr. Edison. This has been done, as I am informed
by letter received from the company this morning.

In their letter they state that they would be very
glad to have you and the Board, or any of its members,
examine the property at any time, and would be pleased
to provide automobiles to drive to and over the property
and a boat to view 'the property from the water side.

I have written to them, thanking them for this invitation

NO.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison - 2*

and stating that X have transmitted it to yourself
and to the members of the Board, through its secretary,
Mr. Thomas Robins.

Yours very truly,

EAS/C

January 21,1916

.Cruse-Kemper Co . ,
Ambler , Pa .

■lie are preparing preliminary plans for
Experimental Station U. S.^Haval Consulting Board of
which Mr. Edison is Chairman.

In our plant equipment vie will require
coil or water «as producer plant of suflicient 9ize
to produce lo!5o0cu! ft. per hour, with «as holder of
;'.00,000 ou. ft. oapacity.

Will you kindly submit us a proposition

s tatin« cost of plant and also plan ^ne^Io^hVtl *
approximate over all dimension of machines so that we
can incorporate same in our plans.

Kindly —
earliest possibly moment

>nd us this information at the

Qlief Draftsman.

Address:

Letters, etc. to
Mr. R. H. Simpson,

Edison Laboratory,
Oran :e, N. J .

Bronx Eerminal Corooration,

4£nd Street. Building,

How York City. '

Attention of Ur. V. . 1. . messenger .

Gentlemen:

1 have received your favor of the
10th instant in regard to the property which
you have presented for the consideration of
the sub-committee of the Laboratory of the
Havel Consulting Board, "he blue print- has e Iso
been received.

Will you kindly udvise me what price
would be asked for 100 acres of this property.

Yours very truly.

CRUSE KEMPER COMPANY

holders ENGINEERS AND CONTRACTORS structural

5ANDTANKS MAI N OFFICE AND WORKS, A M B LER. PA.

AMBLER, PA, January 24, 1916.

Mr. R, H. Simpson,

Edison Lavatory,

Orange, H.J.

Dear Sir: -

We have your favor of the 21st inst., we furnish and
erect gas holders for all parts of the country and will gladly
give you price and specifications for a 300,000 ou. ft. Gas
Holder. We Bhould however know the proposed location as freight,
haul, labor conditions, insurance and travelling enter largely
into the cost of a holder and these items vary widely. We also
make the purif;ying boxes and the oil tanks, but we do not furnish
the gas making plant.

If you propose to use a coal gas plant we suggest that
you go to Isbell-Porter Company, Hewark, H.J.

If a water gas set, to the United Gas Improvement Co .
Philadelphia,

We of course will be glad to help you all we can.

Yours very truly,

Cruse-Ksmper Company,

SEF/M _ -ok _ ;

Proslilent

NA'VA'L OvSOLTtWZ
gdAXj)

January 25,1916.

Cruse-Kemper Company,

Ambler, Pn .

Attention Mr. 3. E. Fairchild.

Dear Sir:

Yours of the 24th received; in reply
would state the absolute location of the Experimental
Station for the Ilaval Consulting Board, ha? not been
decided, It is quite probable though that it will
be somewhere around New York City. This will as you
say in your letter make it impossible for you to
give a neck bottom price on 300,000 cu. ft. Gas
Holder. However, we would like to set a lay-out from
you of «ae holder, any descriptive literature which
you may be able to send us, also a general price
based upon the assumption that plant will be built
in Hew York. Ibis will let us t?et the information
in shape for the Board to discuss.

as possible.

Would like to hear from you as soon

Yours very truly,

Chief Draughtsman .

Address all let ter, etc.
to R. H. Simpson,

Edison Laboratory,
Orange, ft. J.

army service schools

Hr. Thomns A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.

My dear Hr. Edison:

X have a lecture <
the Supply Section of 1
has been so much'pro a:
battery for submarine^
from you on the rolati
batteries on the subje

szzs £ Vs® ?irir

2S£3ffSss«5b^as-

,LS:; su£ £

him state that the views are yours. The letter
incorporated in the locturo.

It is possible that my signature vri.ll mean nothing to you ,

afraid to go into the subject technically.

Please give my regards t

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

New York Office
Hudson Terminal Buildings
30 Ciiurcii Street

January 26, 1916.
(Biot. 25th)

Hr. R. H. Simpson,
adiBon laboratory.

Orange, N.J.

Dear Sir:

Agreeable to the request which you recently made,
the writer has attempted to gather together bulletins, des¬
criptive of the eleotrical apparatus in whloh ycu are in¬
terested, for use in oonneoticn with the Naval Consulting
Board. These are going fornardl to you today, under separate
cover.

If there is anything in our line of partioular
interest to you, that is net covered by these bulletins, I
shall endeavor to furnish you with the same upon request.

Very truly yours,

<?{, d.

HAC/JK

J (iTi.

Mi’, Blmer Sperry,
c ‘lac X-perry Gyroscope Co.,

Manhattan Bridge Plaza,

Brooklyn, II. Y.

Dear ilr. Sperry :

I am in receipt of your favor of
the 20th instant concerning the natter of
the location of the naval laboratory . X

have boon looking up several properties, but
tko prices askec! are too high. X requested
the Bronx ioriaiual people to state an approx¬
imate price, but so far they have not made any
reply.

Yours very truly,

. — c —

:7th. 1918.

Ur . V. . Cosby ,

116 Frederick Street,

San Francisco, Cal.

Dear Sir:

Your favor of tho 17th instunt has been reocived • In
reply 1 beg to say that tho ventilation apparatus seems to have
been neglected, -hey will adopt a pipe system connecting all
batteries together and pump the paces into the sea. V.hilo X
thank you for your suggestion, let me say that Parmaponic Acid
is entirely too slow. V.e tried a lot of experiments with it at
the Laboratory a long time ago.

Early in tho present month we received a typewritten
letter from 116 Frederick Street, Stn Francisco, Cal., dated
December 30th, Btating that the writer had succeeded in stabil¬
ising nitroglycerine, "his letter was not signed. Was this
letter written by you to i.!r. Edison? If so, do you wish to have
him submit the matter to the I.'aval Consulting Board? If you
answer in the affirmative, Mr. Edison will send your letter to
the Secretary of the Ilaval Consulting Board, to bo submitted
to the proper committee.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to ilr. Edison.

v January 28th, 1916.

t

^4-

Thomas A. Edison, Es|. ,

Orange ,

Hew Jersey.

Dear Sir:-

V/e acknowledge your letter of the 24th
instant, asking for a price on one hundred acres
of the two hundred acre plot which v/e have presented
for consideration of your Committee of the llaval
Consulting Board. This would depend upon what
portion of the property, including the water front,
you might require. \7e would consider a lease
on very reasonable terms for either a large or small
plot and also construct buildings on lease if you desire.

If you wish I shall be pleased to oall upon
you to learn a little more fully what your requirements
may be. V/e thank you for your letter and trust to
have an opportunity to discuss this sub jeot with you.

Yours vary truly.

for BEOHX TERM III AD COKPORATIOH.

i'cto . 1st. 191

Bronx terminal Corporation,

Forty-second Street Building,
ilev; York City.

Attention of Hr. V.. K. Messenger

Gentlemen:

1 have roceivod your favor of the 28th
ultimo relative to the plot of land auhmitted for
consideration of the Co.-mittee of the ilavel Con¬
sulting Board. In reply to your o.uestion let me
say that 100 acres of land and some water front,
say 500 feet, would he reo.uired.

Awaiting the favor of your reply. I re¬

main.

Youre very truly.

m. i, 1916.

i.Ir. Edison:

Thomas Hob ins just telephoned we, and asks
which one of two dates will be agreeable to you so that
you can he present at the meeting of the Uaval Consulting
Board, at ■ the Brooklyn Havy Yard, February 9th, or Feb.
16th.

He is waiting to hear from me.

HUSCI-I.

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES

February 2,1916.

Mr . Thomas A. Edison,
Edison laboratory,
Orange,

Dear Sirs

A meeting of the 3oard will be hold at the
Brooklyn Wavy Tard, Brooklyn, II . T. . on Wednesday. February

9th, at 11.00 A.B.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

To the members of the:

American Society of Civil Engineers,

American Institute of Mining Engineers,

American Society of Mechanical Engineers,

American Institute of Electrical Engineers,

American Institute of Consulting Engineers,

Gentlemen: -

There has been introduced into the Senate a Bill
(S-3946) providing for the extension of the military training
now given in land-grant colleges and other- civil educational in¬
stitutions in which military training is given, and for the es¬
tablishment of military instruction in such other institutions
as elect to come under the provisions of the Bill, The prime
objeot of the Bill is that of building up a reserve of trained
officers available for officering volunteer foroes in case of
war. In the opinion of the undersigned the plan of the Bill will
accomplish this, and at minimum cost to the nation; and will,
at the same time, provide an element of discipline and training
of great value in the civil life both of the individuals under¬
going it and of the community.

Enclosed herewith is a brief statement of the prin¬
cipal points covered by the Bill, together with an answered
questionnaire covering such points of information as would be
desired by one giving the Bill careful consideration.

The plan contenqplated by the Bill does not in any way
confliot with any of the other plans proposed in the interest
of preparedness. On the contrary, it will supplement and fit in

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

with any other plan which may be adopted, Whether it involve
training camps, a reserve officers training corps, a reserve of¬
ficers corps, etc, or any or all of these.

The undersigned earnestly request that the members of
the various national engineering societies Bend personal letters
or telegrams to their individual Senators and Representatives in
Congress asking them to support Senate Bills S 3946. In making
this request we are acting as individuals and not as the official
representatives of the societies. Each of us 1b, hov/ever, a mem¬
ber of one or more of the societies addressed, and we urge prompt
action of our fellow members in the societies to which we respect¬
ively belong.

It is your individual action which we particularly
ask in this matter. In addition to your individual letters and
telegrams to your Senators and Representatives, it is desirable
that you influence as many other persons sb possible to take
similar action.

Time iB the essence of this matter. We earnestly re¬
quest that you aot promptly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

■.cgr s. 3946.

m THE SENATE 0E THE 'UNITED STATES.

January 25, 1910.

Mr. Pomeeese introduced the following bill ; which was read twice and referred,
to the Committee on Military Affairs.

A BILL

To establish a Reserve Ofliccrs Training Corps.

. l Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Bepresenta-

2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
8 That for the purpose of securing a sufficient reserve of officers
4- for the military forces of the United States the President is

5 hereby authorized to establish and maintain in civil educa-

6 tional institutions a Reserve Officers Training Corps, which

7 shall consist of a senior division organized at universities and

8 colleges requiring four years of collegiate study for a degree,

9 including those State institutions that are required to pro-

10 vide- instruction in military tactics under the provisions of

11 the Act of Congross. of July second, eighteen hundred and

12 sixty-two, donating lands. for the establishment of colleges

X beg leave to submit the following for your con¬
sideration:

The "Monitor", of^
from which modern Navies have b§^

) only the Gun Turrets of

JHl— (¥ar^-4fas the original '\
bM developed. As you lcnow, t.

r MMr

plated, her hull being s

l to near the water ]

, — . - — — ■ line and...

U>tUv

therefore needing no protection other, than such as aubmdrBion
gave. The result was she was a very small target. For
smooth water a vessel of the Monitorptype^lEr p^oubtedly^
a better fighting machine than is a pociarn Dreadnought .Jin
rough waters, however, her guns are too low to be sd'rviceable,
but her submersion is still asfeood protection as anj^ What
the national defence, demands, in its Navy, is fighting machines ;
not floating palaces ; and why may not such rough water fight¬
ing machines be made to afford as small a target as did the
Monitor if, instead of building up heavily armored walls above
the water line, the hull proper Snd at or near the water line and
the gun turrets and the observation masts only be carried up
to the desired height. From the observation mast she could
be commanded and navigated, when in action. This would
reduce the size of the target from say 500' X SO' to, say,

targets 20' X 30' placed, say, 250' apart. Of course such
a vessel would not be as comfortable for her officers and
crew as is the present standard vessel, but it v/ould be
much more comfortable than is a submarine. And as efficiency
of fighting machine- not Ate userB comfort, is the first
consideration, why should not all new vessels be built with
the efficiency end only in view. For ordinary cruising,
dress parade, purposes there is now an ample supply. Judged
by the present war, it is speed and range of guns, not armor
platlpg, that has determined results; and a vessel of the
type suggested could carry as heavy guns as the present
type, and, being so much lighter, should be susceptible of
much higher speed. Given sufficient speed, and range of
guns, and one or two vessels of the suggested type could,
at their leisure, annihilate a fleet of Dreadnoughts .

Again the time of construction, and particularly the cost
of construction, would be very much less. The guns might
even be mounted upon a Bkeleton frame work only, through
which crew and ammunition should reach the guns, and the
guns be given no armor protection whatever. This would
reduce the size of the vulnerable target to the size of
the guns themselves, which, when trained on the enemy,
would be practically a pin point. Or the gun crew
only might be given armored protection.

Is it not much better to so provide that shots
shall pass harmlessly by or over, than it is to build an
iron wall with a view to stopping them?

Yours truly

Thome B A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange ,

New Jersey.

February 3rd, 1916.

,JU^

/\V(

Bear Sir:-

:I0 ocimowleds0 J°»r le,,et of lst 1'lES“t'
rtrtUS tut u. i— *•> ^ £1"

of motor front, mooli U r.wlroi for tu purpose. of

poor nova consulting Burt. tu “ s0 cltM

that v/e could provide that area.

Regarding the price, we are sure you will
appreciate that we would rather not quote terms until the
property had been examined and you felt that it is suited
to your purpose. ffe should be pleased to drive you up
and show you the property, which is only a half hour distant.

Trusting we may have this opportunity, we remain,
Tours most truly.

'"for BRONX TERMINAL CORPORATION •

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: I believe I Have an ‘ideal Sit'e for y our Ni

f"

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Naval Rjjsearbh w

Station and Laboratory here at' Ikverstraw, H. Y.V on 'the West Shore of the Hd|i- '
son about 33 miles from: New York City by the West Shore Railroad. The whol^\,
property is between 100 and SOO acres in extent, with thousands of feet1 j

frontage on tide water oh its easterly boundary and 'Hnxinonxm 'thousands of 6^
feet along the West' Shore Railroad on it's Westerly boundary. There is a deep
channel along its tide water front' navigated by steam tugs and heavily laden
vessels, and is a protected harbor from heavy seas and winds. You could obtain
as much of this property as you might need or the whole of it.

I would like to hear from you if at all interested In such a site
as above described. . If the selection of site for above station ani laboratory
Is in the hands of others would you kindly hand same to such parties as who do
have charge of it'. I should like to dsai have you see the property, satisfied
that if onoe seen no other would be taken. I should like also to deal direct¬
ly with those having charge of the selection of site to avoid as much extra
commissions as possible to make the price as low to you as possible.

Awaiting a reply from you or from whom'-so-ever you may hand this at
your or their earliest convenience I remain

Feb. ltth. 1916.

Mr. Geoage tt. Lllburn,
national Bank Building,

Havers trav;, XI. Y.

Dear Sir:

Your favor of the tenth instant
has been received. Several cites for the
Government Experimental laboratory have
been brought to my attention, but either
the location was unfavorable br the price
asked vtae too high.

I shall be glad to hear from you
as to the price asked for the cite mentioned
in your letter.

Yours very truly.

3 in reply to your letter of , concerning t’r. CharleB

Stater. island property offer* my letter of the 14th

of tho i.ava 1 Consulting

your letter intimates that the Government does not contemplate so larg
expenditure as the purchase price 1 named to you, and that the area of
, Island's land is larger than is reo.uired.

I have a letter frem Kr. Lelar.d this morning in which he says that he

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h^u y?u. tfo -y- y ^ 0

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD
OF THE UNITED STATES .

. Thomas A. Edison,

\ A

X enclose herewith statement of my Vpensei
Secretary of the Board from Peb. 1st to date. As, you will see
from this statement, these amounted to §118.11. or\5.H each

for our twenty-three members. \

At the meeting of the Board held on Peb. ‘9th it

„„ d.sia.a «at «». S.or.t.ty «...!*

» »k. this account late. .»»»ek to »• oartl.d V a

bank and ala. to cover the expense

he necessary that each member contribute §10.00.

Xf therefore you will send me your cl
it will clear up my own expenses as Secretary to <
jjje to open a bank account through which future ex]

immediately in sight, it will
Lbute §10.00.

me vour check fofr §15.14, \

Very truly yours

my youx»,

i

SECEETAEY.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Financial Statement, JTaval Consulting Board
Feb. 1 to Feb. 21, 1916

Expenditures ;

Petty Cash Account Feb. 1 to 21 . . 19.86

Salary of extra stenographer (C.l.K. ) for

one half month, Feb. 1 to IS . 30.00

Cost of luncheon at meeting of Feb. 9th,

as per bill of Maresi Co., Caterers ... 67.50

lips to waiters at meeting Feb. 9th . 3.00

Cigars for meeting Feb. 9th, 31 at .25 7.75

Total 118.11

$ 118.11 divided by 23 members of Board, equalB $ 5.14 each.

Mr. Edi

February 23, 1916

Sub -Committee on Chemistry and l’hysios,

U.S. Havol Consulting Board

Dear Sirs:

A meeting oi the above Committee will be
held ten o'olook Tuesday morning, February 29, at the
rooms of the Amerioan Institute of Mining Engineers,

29 West 39th Street. Hew York, when representatives
of those interested in possible produotion of nitrio
sold in this country will meet with the Committee-

We hope to find some practical way of assist¬
ing in the establishment of plants for making our
country free of foreign supplies of nitrnteB.

I sm asking the members of the Sub-Committee
on Ordnance and Explosives also to meet with us-

(Signed) W.H. WHITHEY
Chairman

T

W

T

IfATOL COiKTSWJLTINGr BOARD'

or THE UNITED STATICS

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
13 Park Row, New York

Feb. 25, 1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, H. J.

Dear Sir:

Will you please disregard statement and
request for cheek sent you in yesterday's mail. This
was sent in error, as the amount remaining in Mr.
Robins' possession to your credit is sufficient to
cover this assessment.

Regretting the mistake in sending this to

you , I am

Very respectfully,

February 28th. 1916.

Dr. W. R. Whitney,
f. General Electric Co.,
Schenectady, M. Y.

Regret to say I cannot he present at the Committee

a*,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison

Orange, New Jersey

Replying to your favor of the lbth. Inst.,
rin the matter of. the Government' Equipment' laboratory Site, there are a numbe'r'
of parties interested 'in this Site, that would have to be consulted t’o fix up‘-
on the price. The tract of land in question is part' of an eState and contains
upwards of 200 Acres, the greater part of which is situated East of and along
the West Shore Railroad and between the said Railroad and 'the tile water of the
Hudson River and in a protected bason or harbor. Such a location on the Hud¬
son River, you must realize,, is very valuable. There is a portion of this
particular tract located along said Railroad to the west of same and connected
to the portion to the East thereof by an under grade crossing.

Of cqrse the first, ’thing the parties, interested in this property
would want to know before they could, or would fix upon a price would be just
how much of it, and just what part of it you wanted. If the site should be just
what you wanted, it might not be advisable, to start, them thinking about the sel¬
ling or fixing upon the price until you were ready, to buy and dose the deal at
once. When there is an opportunity given to. thlk the selling and the price OVe'r
with outsiders friendly and unfriendly, there is no foreseeing the result. This
is a great place for medlers of such kind, and so the least publicity the better

in this case. • ,

If. it could be conveniently arranged and as inconspicuously as possi¬
ble, I would be pleased at any. time to show the property to you or any menbeV of
your board, to ascertain whether the site is at all suitable or not) and if siSthble
. to determine just what part and how much of same would be desired. This would
then offe’r' a basis upon which to fix the pric'd.

GEORGE M. LILBURN
l)NSELOR*AT-LAW— REAL ESTATE

t Sir:- .

Yours truly

INGERSOLL1

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

Thomas

lV)„ &'%■ . a i) y y$ ^ yy y

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^ y y y -a y,y \ y y \ . 1 .w 4

ltV^ iW^Wk 4r.X,lfl66^

A. Edison, Esq . , ^ \ ^ ^ V\ ^

Orange, N.J. e* ^ ./A'*' .1^ ^ .A1, jf**' V <** #y

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My aear air:- ,, V \^V' ,V *>

It has been suggested that the opinion of the members of
Naval Consulting Board be obtained on the following points:

Through the courtesy of the United Engineering Society
a suite of offices has been placed at the disposal of the Naval Consulting
Board, these offices being now oocupied by the Committee on Production,
Organization, Manufacture and Standardization. Adjoining this suite is a
large board room, with table and chairs, sufficient to afford a place for
a meeting of the Naval Board. In the Engineering Societies Building
are stenographers, clerks, telephones, eto . , all of which are available
for the use of the Naval Board and which can be obtained, to a reasonable
extent, without charge.

Immediately connected with the Engineering Building
is the Engineers' Club, where luncheon oan be served for about one-third,
05, at a maximum, one-half what it costs to serve luncheon at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard, and in view of the Inaccessibility of the Brooklyn Navy Yard
it is thought that the next meeting of the Naval Board (March g.) be held
in the Naval Consulting Board rooms in the Engineering Societies Building
instead of in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Several members of the Naval Board have oritioised the
faot that a stenographer is present at the meetings of the Board. This,
of course, is quite unusual in board meetings. Freedom of disoussion is
desirable, and there would seem no particular reason for stenographic notes,
but only the usual memoranda of resolutions passed, or things done at the
Board meeting, such as is common practice in business board meetings.

Will you be good enough to let me have your views on these
two points at your earliest convenience?

1. As to holding the meeting on the gth in the Engineering
Sooietles Building, 29 W«39th St.

2. Whether you prefer that no one but members of the
Board be present at the meetings, exoept invited guests and a stenographer
on speoiaj. oooasions only.

The two points are in line with the saving of expense,
which should be kept before us, as some of the activities of the Board
which are contemplated are likely to run into a good deal of money.

I personally have spoken to the Secretary of the Navy about this and am at
work upon a plan, which I think will be oarried out, to seoure a fund for
aotual expenses only.

March 4th. 1916.

Mr. V, . L. Saunders, Second Vice President,

Ueval Consulting Board of the United States,

11 Broadway,

Hew York City.

Dear Mr. Saunders:

I have been so exceedingly busy working days
and nights this week that I have only seen your favor of the
first instant this morning.

I think it would bo preferable to hold the
meetings of the Board at the Havy Yard, ft connects us more
directly with the Government than if we met in some build¬
ing in Hew York City. As to expense, 1 do not see that it
will mako much difference to the Board whether they eat at
tho Waldorf or the Havy Yard or elsewhere.

On the whole it is my opinion that it will be
better to have a stenographer take notes at a signal from the
Presiding Office.

Yours very truly.

Vatojl CaBrsoamG Bomb

OF THU UNITED STATUS

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

13 Panic Row, New York

liar. 2,

1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, H. J.

My Dear Mr. Edison:

I am sending you today by Adams Express,
two thousand lithographed Board letterheads "Office of

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

HaY&L COBNTSVlrTSNG B®M®

OF Tin: UNITED STATICS

OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN

Orange , "NT. .1.

INGERSOLL-RAND CO.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE

I 1 BROADWAY

new york. Mar. 6, 1916.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq..,
Orange, N. J.

Dear Mr. Edison:-

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD MEETING '~

Referring to your letter of the 4-th, most of the
members, in reply to my circular letter, seam to think that we might hold
the next meeting at the Engineering Societies Building, 29 West 39th St.;
that is, the meeting on Wednesday, the Sth of March. We held a meeting
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard only a month ago, and the weather is very bad
Just now. Furthermore we have a suite of offices Just given us for nothing
at the Engineering Societies Building and it is thought advisable to get
acquainted with them. Mr. Robins will send out notice that the meeting
on the Sth will be held at the Engineering Societies Building. We can
than deoide where to hold the meeting following.

Yours truly.

NAVAL COjN'SHLTMG BOARD'

OFIUEtSUED STATUS

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

13 Park Row, New York

March 6, 1916.

CHAItS^ ^{p^OB Qg MEETING

So the Members of the Haval Constating Board:

A majority of the members of the Board having
expressed the opinion that the next meeting should be held
at the Engineering Societies Building Instead of at the
Havy Yard, I write to advise you that the meeting on
Wednesday, the day after tomorrow, will be held in the
offices of the Committee on Production, Organization,
Manufacture and Standardization, on the ninth floor of
the Engineering Societies Building, 29 West 39th Street,
Hew York, at 11 A. M.

luncheon will be served in a private room at
the Engineers Club.

TH/gt

SECRETARY.

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Maroli 'S'jv 1916

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f-

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Orange, N. J.
hear Mr. Edison;

My old friend and former client, Captain Alexander
Mchougall, of Duluth , Minn., has asked me to write you arid
urge upon you to see him in reference to a Coast Defense plan
which he has developed and which he wishes to bring to the atten¬
tion of the Naval Consulting Board. I do not know anything about
the merits of the plan, but I can say for Captain McDougall that
he is a thoroughly practical man in every sense of the word, and
any plan that he might propose I .should say would certainly
be worth looking into.

Captain MoDougall invented the whale;-back type of
boat and has had a great deal of practical shipbuilding experience,
having built more than one hundred steel vessels. The Christopher
Columbus built by him in 1893 is still in commission between
Chicago aid Milwaukee.

I understand that he has been working for three or four
years on his Coast Defense plan and has models and drawings which
fully illustrate the same. I think by all means you should see
him, and X can commend him in every way as an honest, hard headed
thoroughly practical Scotch Canadian.

With best wishes,

Yours very truly,

/

Mar oh 13 th . 1916.

Mr. Frank 1. Dyer,

31 liaesau Street,

How York City.

Dear Mr I Dyer :

Your favor of the sixth inBtant -.o Mr. Edison was
received and laid before him. Ue has been on one of his
characteristic experimenting campaigns daring the last five
or six weoks, and is very busy, to he has askod me to reply.

He asys that your friena Captain McDougall may
write out his scheme and send it on here, and .Mr. Edison
will forward it to the Secretary of the Havel Consulting
3 ard. When we are writing inquirers on this subject we
suggest that they should protect themselves either by fil¬
ing an application for patent or keeping the original of
the description, dated and v/itnessod. Mr. Edison. cannot
guarantee any privacy in the matter after it leaves his
hands .

With kind regards, I remain.

Yours very truly,

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

March 8th. 1916.

Hew York Evening Sun.

New York City.

The Sun is publishing statements about the submariner battery
without investigating and ascertaining the facts. Nothing in
the Battery Company's pamphlet explains anything but what haB
been known for several years- The Naval authorities contri¬
buted nothing to advance the battery. It s coBt has been very
much more than I received from the Government.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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Mr. vrm^iA^ y

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

, Maroh 8, 1916.

TELEGRAM RECEIVED VIA WESTERN UNION
from

Boston, Mass.

BUY THIS MORNING 'S BOSTON JOURNAL ANY NEW YORK HOTEL •
STAND. SEE ARTICLE ON EDISON BATTERIES. WOULD SUGGEST
WIRING REPLY ATTENTION MANAGING DIRECTOR BCB TON EDISON.
WILL TELL HIM IT IS COMING. MAKE IT PLAIN THAT NO NAVAL
SECRETS HAVE BEEN DIVULGED.

W. G. BEE.

The foregoing telegram was addressed to M. R. Hutchisoi

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MEMOHAHDUM Ob' MOOTS TAKEU Ai’ MEETING
OB'

MAVaL COHSUL2IHG BOARD ,

IM TUB

HOOUS OB’ EKGIHEERIHG SOCIETIES BUILD IMG ,
29 West 39th St. ,

OH

WEDHESDAY, MARCH 8th, 1916.

Present - Messrs. Saunders, Epbins, Baekeland, Hiker, Addioks,
Present uessre agao ’woodward, Maxim, Emmet, Webster,

LaeS’coffil, Miller, Hi char ds. Hunt, Sperry,
Hutchison.

Absent - Messrs. Craven, Hewitt, Sellers, Thayer,

Meeting called to order at 11.00 A. M. , Saunders presiding.

L. Heading of minutes of last meeting. (Was called out, and do
not know as to whether they were approved. }

verbosity on the par* of the^ re oor d ing of the discussions.

OlfH'trSB

the business of the meetings.

4 Dr. Whitney read a memorandum addressed to the Committees on
Chemistry" Physics , Ordnance and Explosives previously, in regard
to getting some action immediately on of nitrogen

of the air. Discussion and general approval of some plan.

6 A Mr. Bower, representative of the Farmers’ Union and the

25SS 2M.S2JA

farmers in peace time and by the Government in war time. Says the
farmers are behind such a movement.

£0eLL°\£rt^

Does not ask that the plant he located in any one particular
locality, only that it he placed with due respect of source of
supply of raw material, and for the demand/. Cannot see any reason
for raising a political, question as to locality, hut wants results.
Thinks that several plants should he installed and located in
various parts of the Country to correspond with the demand and
souroe of supply of raw material, etc.

Farmers now use 175,000,000 dollars worth of fertilizer per annum.
Thinks that nitrogen and nitrates are most important.

Can use phosphoric acid and potash at present market prices and
get economic returns.

Thinks such a plant is of more importance to agriculture thai to
the Government, provided the Government can he served during war
time. From 90?£ to 95fr of the time, agriculture will furnish the
demand.

Understands that the Army alone will need, 180,000 tons of nitric
acid in time of war.

Farmers are not hacking a government owned or governmont ope rated
plant, because they feel that the processes are owned hy private
• persons, and the patents would require condemnation and confiscation.
Furthermore, the efficiency of operation of a private owned plant
would exceed that of a Government operated plant.

The cost of nitrate of soda previous to the war was from )50.00
to $65 . 00 per ton delivered.

The South is impoverished hy the scarcity af and the high cost
of fertilizer.

The farmers will co-operate with the Haval Consulting Board.

States that the Wise Bill only authorizes an appropriation for
nitrogen industry, hut is not well drawn and not complete. The
farmers have as yet produced no hill, hut are working on one.

Dr. Baekeland says that a $4,000,000.00 plant would he sufficient
for niixKfefcnx: manufacture of nitrates for Government retirements,
and wants to know what percentage the formers would he able to take.

6. Mr. Bower says that the experimental time for the
of nitrogen has passed, as it is being made in Europe
quantity and cheap price.

Appointment of a commission only means delay unless the commission
works in a hurry.

Bpwer has a personal preference for the oyanamid^rooess , although
he acknowledged he didn't know anything about it^comparod with
other processes.

in commercial

Dr. Whitney says it doesn't maky any difference what process we
have, as long as we make nitrates.

Dower says the farmers have been wanting a oheap fertilizer for a
long time, and thinks this is the opportunity for the farmers and
the Hava 1 Consulting Board to work together and accomplish what eaoh
desires by co-operation and on the same hand wagon.

7. Mr. Addicks asked as to whether the farmers were interested in
getting nitrates, ot simply a cheaper price for nitrates than the
present market. Bower says the price of nitrate of soda fixes the
prices of all other fertilizers, and they are interested in getting
the price down. .Farmers have paid an export tax to Chile of S12.00
per ton on every ton of nitrates imported to this Country from
Chile. This amounts to ^90, 000, 000.00 up tp the present time

(did not say from what date).

8. Dr. Baekeland says that the cost of nitrates to farmers
in Europe, at the close of the war, will he about one-half of
what Americans have to pay for it now.

Owing to great deposits of lignite coal, Germany is making nitrates
from steam power, and making it cheaper than we are paying for the
nitrates we import.

Bowers states that the fertilizer business is in a state of great
inefficiency and this inefficiency is costing the farmers millions.
Heoited the manufacture and transportation of the fertilizer as
it is now furnished. StateB that only eighteen percent of the-
fertilizer is plant food, eighty-two percent is absolutely wotthr
less to the farmer. He is interested in seoing a fertilizer
through the ammonium phosphate prooess, so that sixty percent of
the fertilizer will be plant food, and wants us to please help to
bring this shnuxi about.

9. Dr. Baekeland said that the Gormans are getting a higher
yield per acre than the United States, and that Belgium is getting
higher than Germany. The Belgitan yield of orops per acre is
proportional to the nitrogen fertilizer. The rental per annum

of farming land in Belgium is as high as the price of land per
acre (farming) in Amerioa. So Belgium had to get busy and improve
her fertilizer, lluoh of the fertilizer in Belgium before this time
jtHxiit was found to be adulterated horribly. The yield per aore
in Belgium is now enormous.

10. Spencer Miller thought the Haval Consulting Board wbb getting
far afield from the line of argument regarding munitions of war,
and Bower states that they will look after the farmer end of it
if we will look after the ftHxnxnaregfc munitions end and both
working together oan accomplish results.

11. Mr. Sperry thinta it unwise to appoint a Board or Commission.
Says that Herbert Spenoor's theory regarding hoards still holds
good. Suggests a hill.

Mr. Spraguo and others do not agree with him on this, and a
resolution was drawn by Mr. Sprague, which has boon or will be
transmitted to the Secretary of the Ilavy, for transmission to
tho President of the United States, requesting that a commission
be appointed, consisting of members from tho Havy, the Army,
Bureaus of Agriculture and Interior, and one or more members of
the Haval Consulting Board, to look into this nitrate question
and report as soon as possible.

12. All the above took from 11.00 A. H. to 1.00 P. II.

13. Adjourned at 1.00, for luncheon at tho Engineers' Club.

AjTRBKUOII SESSIOII
Ho-oonvoned at 2.06 P. H.

Motion made and seoonded that tho meetings of tho Board hereafter
be on the second Saturday of each month, at 10.00 A. II., and at
eaoh meeting the place of tho following mootings to be decided
by popular vote. Some are in favor of holding the meetings at
the Hew fork Havy Yard. Others are in favor of holding meetings
at the Engineering Building, in the quarters furnished the Board
free of charge by the Mining Engineering Society. Mr. Edison fool
that it would be better to hold the meetings - all of thorn - at
tho Brooklyn Havy Yard, in order that we may bo kept in closer
touoh with the Haval officers. Some of the Members do not fool
that way about it, as the Havy Yard is inaccessible. Personally,

I favor tho Havy Yard, beoauso the aooomodations aro superior,
and the ventilation of the room very superior. If left to their
own resources, it will be found that tho quality of the air in a
room varies aonversoly with the intelligence of the mon gathored
therein. Members with the baldest heads insist on sitting closest
to windows, and then raise a howl if there is a one-inch oraok
to lot some air in.

BEPOlg OP COMMITTEES

Aeronautics - Sperry, Chairman.

Committee has hold no meetings. Mr. Sperry has a son who has
been flying in England, Eranoo and Italy, deports tremendous
activity in aeronautics in all three Countries. Hight flying a
new feature that is being pushed to tho utmost. Aviators are
being trained to fly at night. Difficulty has been and is being
experienced by dvlators in Ice oping the maohinos on oven keol,
when flying at night. Sperry has made three hundred gyroscopic
indicators, all or most of which are now in the hands of the
Allies. Sperry thinks wo should train our aviators to fly at
night. Says thore is a Curtiss school aeroplane engaged in

locating dereliots or oortain vessels of previously unknown
locations.

"Drift" ia under dovolonment.

Germany has ordered 130 stabilizers, but Sperry oannot dolivor
them.

Committee on Standardization, eto. - Coffin, Chairman.

States the work of his committee 1b divided into

(a) An inventory of what country oould lop oral upon,

(b) Arrangement of affairs in ;7ashington, so that tho Army and Davy
oould go out and take advantage of such inventory by avoidance of
tho rule pertaining to tho giving of all business to tin lowest
bidder, so that souroos of supply from many quarters can be
aouragod on a small scale.

(c) 2 he lining up of tho labor element in the formation of the
industrial reserve.

The five national technical organizations have received acceptances
from all the men who have been asked to serve a3 State Directors,
and these State Directors will be appointed by tho Seorotary of
the Davy in duo time. Out of the ontire list of about tv© hundred,
only two declined. One of these two is doad. and tho other had to '
decline, booause of unsurmountable obstacles.

Coffin has received many requests as to tho political significance
of this mobilization move. Says this Board must avoid all semblance
of Politics if results are to bo aohievod for tho good of tho
Country.

After legislation to froe the hands of tho Atmy and Havy heads,
a bill ha3 been introduced to empower tho President to authorize
the Secretaries of tho Army and ilavy to plaoe trial orders of
apparatus and material, on equitable business, to develop inde¬
pendent pouroos of supply to produce any reasonably small order
for material , eto . This to apply only on small ordors.

On the labor end - is in close touoh and apparently thoro are no
sorious complications. Several strong arguments that please labor.
The laboring man ia moot intorestod in having a job to hold, and
of holding it after he gots it. If war is declared, about / of
the industries would go- flat and hundreds of thousands of men
would ho laid off. Those who aro oompotont to produce ammunition
would he running day and night. Enrollod labor in tho industrial
reserve would not he subject to draft for enlistment in tho Army
and Davy.

Bankers are not only interosted in tho prosperity of the Country,
hut also interested in kooping the big industries in private
hands , rather than Government ownership.

-6-

Wr. Coffin showed samples of completed four-page formB, airailar
to the censor a forms, to be used in classifying the industries,

Both the Army and liavy have authorized the Bonding of Offioors
to Detroit for education in the design, building and testing out
of hydro-carbon engines.

Coffin states that about two woolcs ago, the delegation of adver¬
tising men waited on the Prosidont, and placod at his disposal
free of charge to the Government, their facilities for getting’
advertising space, writing the ads, etc., etc. along preparedness
and alliod patriotic lines, patriotic basis. Tho Prosidont re¬
ferred these men to the Secretary of tho iiavy, who in turn re¬
ferred them to the Ilaval Consulting Board. Saundors met them in

Tho advertising men, about nine, were invited to oome in and
discuss the matter of publicity, etc. with tho entire Board. It
is unanimously thought, wise, desirable and absolutolv necessary
to carry the message of what tho Board is trying to acoonrolish
to everybody in the United States. The Board now has with* it those
advertising men, the national Chamber of Commerce, and the labor.

Bnterwjthe advertisers, about nine in all.

kr. Houston, President of the Associated Advertising Clubs of
the world, and whioh includos all the principal advertising
writors, illustrators, sollorB and buyers - 15,000 men in all.

Mr. Houston says that all tho national defense sooietioa have
Deon trying <feo enliat tho norvioos of this associated advertising
olfcb, but upon investigation, found that oaoh of those societies
has somo axe to grind. Furthermore, this associated advertising
club of tho world thinks they aro big onough uud imnortunt onoiigh
sinooro onough and patriotic onough, to v.arit to doal with head-'- ’
quarto rs.

The chairman callod attention of tho advertising mon to tho faot
that this Board is absolutely non-partisan, politically.

i made by this advertising club

He roads and distributes i
attaching hereto.

: proposed ads, oopy of whioh I am

His club is going to ask the billboard and other advertising
space sollors to oontrihute space to Haval Consulting Board
propoganda, as will bo put out from time to time.

Sverybody aoema to bo unanimous in wanting to have the Naval
Consulting Board and subsidiary groups authorized by Congress.

Mr. Houston says they want the publicity group to be an arm or
the Naval Consulting Board, and nothing oan bo done without
authorization from Congress.

Mr. Houston says wo have sixty percent of the. industries of the
World in' the United States. Publication' of this faat, baolcod
up by proof, will go a long way toward impressing upon foroignors
that they had best keep their hands off America.

Br. Whitney- expressed his personal gratitude to those gentlemen.
A3ks if the Advertising Club could boost the Naval Laboratory
and nitrate industry propogonda.

Mr. Houston says the advertising committee would work in close
oollaboration with the headauartors of the Naval Consulting
Board, and would go after what over was thought by the Board
to bo most important to have put before tho public.

Mr. Sperry called attention to tho fact that tho Naval Consulting
Board is not authorized as yet, and suggests that someone should
proaoh tho wisdom of tho establishment of such a board.

Mr. Houston says that publioity will see to it that tho Board
is continued in its' work.

Dr. Baekeland wanted to know where and haw tho advertising club
expeots to raise tho money necessary to conduct such campaign.

Mr. Houston replied that if tho Board and the advertising club
as an arm of tho Board is authorized by Congress, they will
go to the controllers of advertising space in axnii this country,
and feels quite sure that those advertising apace collars will _
ba glad to respond, without cost to the Government.

Mr. Gudo, the billboard advertising man in How fork, made on
address. Ho says tho advertising asoooiation includes tho
advertising men, tho business men, eto. in every town and oity
in the United States.

Mr. Coffin introduces a Mr. V.’olls, whom I understood to bo the
head of some large manufacturing concern which is oompotont to
make war munitions, ote.

Mr. Wells seys it would take kratt and Whitney, Brown and
Sharpe, and his concern, five yoars to make the necessary gauges
to enable 200,000 shells per day to be turned out.

If the gauges are not used, all sorts of trouble arises in
shooting of the shells from guns.

To make 1,000 fuses per day, in oaoh of sis factories, would oost
'146,000.00 for gauges alone.

There have boon oontraotg let for fuses at from 11 . 00 to 023. 00
each.

The Government should own all the blueprints, gauges, tools, etc.
so that within forty-eight hours they could start to malting
ammunition in the privately ownod plants, as well as Govern men',
arsenals.

There should be a capacity of ..00,000 shells per day, of various

Si 208.

Ho one on n start to make fuses iwithout gaifres. All the munition
manufacturers are busy, after all thi3 time, trying to make gauges
so that thoir rejection of ammunition will bo out down.

What's the use of the Array and the llavy without ammunition.

uno of the most important things on the oalendar at prosent is
to get a lot of gaugos made up of the different sizes of fuses
and shells, to a total of 200,000 shells of various sizes per
day, and put these away in storage, using them only to educate
men to go out and make shells in privately owned factories.

The value of the gauges alone, to manufacture 200,000 shells por
day, -would cost bo two on neventoon million and twenty million
dollars.

Gauges wear out quiokly and should bo replaced immediately
they become worn beyond the limit.

Address hy dponoer i.'iller :

Hr. J.liller suys that if war should come on, this country would
probably stand one-quarter of its national woalth before the war
ended. This moans one-quarter of the personal wealth of eaoh
individual in the United States. The itavy costs only '‘1.60 per
capita per annum nor;, and for the small amount of throe dollars
per oapita, wo could double the llavy upkeep, i. o. to pay for
twice as large a llavy as wo have, in upkeop. Ho one hut a fool
would profor the risk of having to give up one-quarter of his
ontiro wealth, if tho country oan bo insured against invasion
by an adequate llavy nt three dollars per year tax on oaoh man.

Mr. Coffin introduced another gentleman , who is at the head of
the "ihnorioan Machinist" publication.

-9-

Thia gentleman says that the "American Machinist" is ready to
spend between 030,000.00 und 040,000.00 to present the details of
ammunition manufacture, through his paper, froe, on the basis of
his publioation getting the neoossary data (such as in not deoret)
from the Bureau of Ordnance of tho Davy, and tho Ordnance Depart¬
ment of tho Array, so that an intelligent series of articles ofih
be written that will bo of much value to tho thousands of
machine shops that subscribe to tho "American Machinist".

Mr. Coffin was much impressed with tho importance of ao-opc rating
with this gentleman, saying that the way to gat action is to get
busy and use all the facilities placed at our command or which
we con ha vo placed at our command.

Mr. Sperry says that if 4,000 or 5,000 machine shops got posted
on how to manufacture ammunition, it will a stride forward. Says
the "American Machinist ' roaohos every ono of th030 ships , and
is hotter than any other publication.

General discussion arose as to what oxtent tho information that
is now being srainod by manufacturers of munitions in supplying
said munitions to foreign powors, will be of any aorvioo to us in
time of war. Tho impression scorns to bo that tho foreign arm unit ion
varies considerably Prom the American ammunition.

Mr. taorame has to say in this connection, howovey, that ho fools
tho shoos now making ammunition nro protty wo 11 on to it, and that
inability of tho oditor of tho "American Machinist" to got tho
kind of information he wantod was tho disinclination on the part
of taaa oompany to spond a lot of monoy fin-ling out how to do a
thing, to freely discloso all rlotails to tho print.-

Mr. Saundora says tho Secretary of the Davy is ranking an effort,
through certain parties, to havo the Board legalized and get
rnonoy for expenses of the Board.

Coffin says tho Secretary of tho iiavy says that if tho Chairman
of euoh sub-committee will make out a list of the things his
committee has aooomoi inhod, and what hie oommittoo hopo3 to
accomplish, and sond it to tho Secretary of tho Iiavy through our
Secretary, considerable assistance y;ill be rondorod in the mattor
■of tho laboratory, v3b?i the legalising of the Iiaval Consulting
Board aomos up.

It was so ordered.

Mr. Sperry alluded to the groat response of tho engineers of the
Country when this Army agitation started up. Mach of the meetings
at the Engineering Building has been greatly overcrowded, a
second meeting each week having to bo held as un overflow mooting,
to accomodate those who v/antod to he present. Mr. Sperry wants
to know why some of this enthusiasm and patriotism cannot he
directed toward the Havy.

-10-

Says tho Mavy has ten uses, to the Arm one, for on engineer.

lir. Sperry says that at the Philadelphia Yard there are sovoral
ships that are deteriorating from laolc of jsse , as will uny
pieoe of apparatus deteriorate when put out of commission, eto.
Says why not appoint a committee to see what can ho done toward
training of engineers, eto. on hoard those obsolete but fcleshipa ,
in the Summer months , as tho Army is doing at Plattsburgh with
the Army recruits.

It was moved and seconded that in future a general discussion
of the Board bo not recorded and transcribed, only the actions
taken by the Board to bo transcribed.

After sovoral discussions of a minor nature, tho Board adjourned
at 4.45 P. M.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

PROVIDENCE FARM

WHITE HORSE P. O.
CHESTER COUNTY. PA.

HORSES TAKEN TO BOARD

March 8th, 191 6.

Dear Sir:- ^ January 4th/ 1916^ X submitted ^pyou^ oninioa..^ t /
drawings and specifications forL£5'life boat to^e used inConnecj/
tion with a submarine. Up to this date I have had no re^T<o
my latter, nor any communication whatsoever.

I should appreciate vary much an opinion from you
regarding the idea and the possibilities of your being able to
apply the same.

I assume the matter will be treated confidentially.

• ,>NV

i'? &

Very respectfully,

^ 'rS
r

Secretary Daniols has just telephoned that Congress
expects us down Wednesday morning, and will try to finish up on
Wednesday, so that we can return Wednesday night. I am at the
Brooklyn Havy Yard. Will you please confirm to albert that you
will ho there Wednesday morning? I will go down also. We eon leave
sometime tomorrow evening or afternoon.

Naval Consulting Boar© J1 -<*

OETI1ETIK1TED STATES

,£)>

Mar oh 17,1916.

Y

( V'0 J

Mr. Thos. A. Edison,

llewlyn Park, H. J.

My dear Mr. Edison:-

I send you herewith a copy of letter to Hr .Daniels
concerning a matter in which I would he very much obliged if you
would give me some help.

The invention mentioned in this letter is an
induction generator motor combination which effects a 2 to 1
speed induction with only half the power transmitted electrically
and no moving contracts. I am sending you a drawing and
description which will make its details clear.

I want to formally submit this design through the
Consulting Board, but my first need is to get an opportunity to
build the apparatus which will establish a big advance. Fifty
similar boats are included in the new Havy programme.

Very truly your s ,

TORE/EAR

ATTACHED.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

March 17,1916.

Hon- Josephus Daniels,

Seoretary of the Havy,

Washington.

Dear Sir:-

I have Just heard from Mr. Hardesty that it is
reported that the machinery for the Mare Island destroyer was
to "be "built at the Yard, ana I want very much to take enough
of your time to call your attention to features of thiB case

whioh you may not know.

0u± hid for the apparatus, delivered at the Yard,

_ _ §128,000.00

including superintendence and §3,156. for spare parts.

The Yard's estimate was

Labor — - §23,900.

Indirect - 8 6,800.

Material - §88.300.

This figure does not include royalty to Parsons,
and with this added, I think the figure will he higher than ours.

I think their royalty is fifty centB per H.P. .which would he

§10,000.

Our proposal embodies a valuable invention of
mine whioh I made as a member of the Haval Consulting Board in
direct response to one of the needs whioh were given to us shortly

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

after our first moating.

This invention relates to the method of coupling
cruising turbines ana accomplishes two very useful purposes in
a very simple and reliable manner.

Owing to the virtue of this arrangement and to
the very high quality of the turbines which we proposed, our
proposal offers to guarantee results vastly better than any ever
produced in such a vessel. At a cruising speed of 12 knots
our steam consumption is less than half that offered by the
WeBtinghouse Company in a competitive proposal, ana it is pre¬
sumable that our superiority over the equipment proposed by the
Havy Yard is also very great.

We have boon informed that equipment for a similar
boat at H or folk has been ordered from Bath at a price higher than
ours and with guarantees much inferior to ours. We were not
allowed to bid on this boat although we tried very hard to got
permission to do so.

The equipment which wo offer in this case without
tho cruising turbine arrangement, which we add, is unquestionably
bettor than the Bath equipment and on that basis the price could
be much reduced.

In this destroyer matter we have been held off
for months and yearB and in tho meantime our case has steadily

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

strengthened.

The Parsons people in this country are working
through every possible channel, political and otherwise, to keep
their designs in UBe in our Havy and they seem to get much
support from many of our officers* In the meantime, Yarrow and
many of the best foreign builders of such boats, have gone to
impulse turbines.

For a long time we have been promised an oppor¬
tunity to bid on this Mare Island boat. We have made the lowest
bid and offered the best guarantees, and I feel that we are
entitled to the award.

.,Very. truly yours.

WIRE/EAR

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

• She ' equipment proposed may ha briefly flenorifcefl cs
follows: A -mult ij*te-3tftgo main turbine in conn not nr1 to a«oh

pr.ope-J.lor shaft through gearing of the special type developed
’ey the General Electric Company. With each main turbine u
cruising turbine is installed „ the connection between the main
turbine and the cruising turbine being accomplished by electri¬
cal means through an arrangement which nay be described as a
speed reducing clutch. The main turbine will consist of v.
succession of wheels, each wheel carrying a single row of b lad an,
These wheels are separated by diaphragms with nozzles oxtonfling
entirely around the periphery of all wheals. ' The pitch diameter
of these wheels increases progressively fren the high pressure
end to the low pressure end, all whool3 being proportioned for
the maximum of bucket efficiency and the minimum of frictional
rotation loss, Two points of steam admission are provided in
each of these’ main turbines which nonnoob to the first nr.d- third
stages. At the maximum speed of the vessel the steam will be
admitted to the third stage. At somawliat loner speeds it will
be admitted to the first stage of tho main turbine and at still
loner speeds it will pass through tho cruising turbine before
entering the main turbine. The admission of steam as dosirad will
be oontrolled ■ by suitable hand operated valves and oentrifural
devices will be provided on both the main and pruning turbines
which will olose a valve in the main, steam admission in case,
for any reason, the turbine should run above normal spood.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

) )

'^3.- .

The pruiaing turbine will consist of a similiar
group of wheels, each having a single row of blades with
steam admission all the way srouhg, and in addition to this
there will be a single stage carrying two rows of blades with
steam admission covering only a part of the periphery,.- l'his
first two-bucket stage will be used only at very low speeds
when the steam flow is small,

She speed reducing clutch oonsiots of an induction
generator and a synchronous motor, the corresponding ne^ts
of which are mounted upon the same shaft and connected to¬
gether through an axial hole in the shaft s this shaft being

coupled to the main turbine a The generator element of this
JZf&isyc&J?

combination is surrounded by an fasfrnytfal squirrel-cage ravol-
vin^ "element which is carried by the shaft of the cruising
turbine. She motor element is sitrrounded by a stationary
field structure which is energized by diroot current from the
lighting circuit, of the vessel.

When both turbines are in motion and the motor field
is suitably energized, an olectrioal relation is established
by whioh the ornising turbine operates vary slightly above
twice the speed of the main turbine. About half the power of
the cruising turbine is delivered direct to the main tureino
shaft throxigh the torque of the induction generator, The re¬
mainder of the power of the cruising turbine is turned into
electricity and transmitted to the rotor of the synchronous
motor and by it delivered to the shaft of the main turbine.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

; ') ' O') ' . •

-3-

Ihis device thus t ran emit a the whole power of the
cruising turbine but turns only hall of .it into electricity.

It albo ai'feots a desirable epe'ed reduction between the main
and Cruising turbine b and. accomplishes these results with a
very simple, low voltage, electrical connection and without
moving contactSo It is entirely disconnected by interruption
of the stationary «.eld circuit, A suit oh in -the. field cir¬
cuit of the oanUe' connected to the mechanism

of the valve which admits steam to the . erasing turbine so that
on interruption of steam annission to the cruising turbine ;
either automatic or intentional, will entirely disconnect the
apparatus. ’ Duplicate automatic means for accomplishing this
disconnection will be provided so that earcsss speed in the
cruising turbine, either from steam or from electrical sources,
will be impassible.

l’he gearing proposed for - this installation Is so
arranged that a pinion driven by the main turbine operates in
a balanced position between two flexible idlers which deliver
power to two points ori a solid main gear which drives the. pro¬
peller shaft. This method of gear connection has been used for
some time with great success iu driving of generators from
high speed trublnes. It affords’ a perfect 'equalization and
distribution of strains to all element's of the gearing, it
avoids .pressure upon the pinion bearings end tendencies to de¬
flect the pinion, shaft, This gear design is light and compact.,
tho strains on tooth surfaces ere very conservative and can

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

never e:<oood t. o d«olC?»«« U-.«e at FOint. «he '

of sot'ot.v afford oft bj tho ’proportions of thoso «onrr.
b~.,n 0,;t^nGuofl%y ver? oarnful urpcrlnont a.tl.on At
verified fci a lereo export onoo in tho of cle

gone vat ora and with o.;nivalont «ov.r oxrurtfowml » in

iVAi^htorB wJiioh i

*ervi *33 «

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

- fcicd e

J /'tCcA

$-loI eJUc & *

Acoii /Cm. ..... Q'<nisf-et.t~fa ,

.

h<wi% a©4^lfc~~

£fX<C

=3

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

March 21st. 1916

Mr. Ti. L. H. Emmet,

Haval Consulting Board of the United States,
Schenectady, II. Y.

Dear Mr . Emmet :

Ur. Edison received your favor of
tho 17th instant, v i th encloeuree, yesterday.

He has been very busy indeed the last few
days, finishing up things before he wont away
to i’lorida.

Before leaving i:e asked me to write
to you and say as follows :

"you had better wait until we got the
laboratory , ’where the Board ( if author-
'■ ized’ as a Board) will havo something
to say."

yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

Vatol Com s wilitin g B®a»

SKffliw

AUNDER8.|

or THE UNITED STATES

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

13 Rvrk "Row, Hew Yoxuc

March IB, 1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, H. J.

Dear Sir:

The next meeting of the Naval Consulting Board
will be held on April 8th, the second Saturday in the
month, at 10 A.K. , in the rooms of the Committee on
Production, Organisation, Manufacture and Standardization,
on the ninth floor of the Engineering Societies Building,
29 West 59th Street, Hew York City.

Please mark and return the enclosed blank,
stating whether or not you expect to attend this meeting.

Yours very truly,

Thomas Robins

J-

SECRETARY.

you return the same to me at your early convenience in order
that it may he printed as soon as possible.

Very truly yours.

Clerk.

fa

tot

Wavail Ccnrsiiunire Board-

V X11E UNITED STATUS

March

I, 1916. L V
a ^ /

V- u/r

11CS

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

South Orange,

New Jersey.

Dear Mr. Edison:

You will doubtless remember the former communication
of Lieutenant Gillmor, of London. I have recently received

a letter from him containing the enclosed excerpt bearing
on our matters, which I take the liberty to hand you,
thinking it may be of interest.

It seems to me that the point Mr. Gillmor raises with
reference to the Board aiding the Navy to make connections
with the great technical as well as organizing resources
of our country might be followed along technical lines in a
manner similar to that in which Mr. Coffin's Committee on
industrial organization is accomplishing splendid results.

I have no doubt that the industrial institutions

having technical experimental resources would be as glad to
aid us, should they be called upon for specific service, as
the Western Electric Company was to aid the British Board.

Yours very truly,

fie.

EAS/C

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Excerpt from Letter of March 3, 1916, from

R. E. Olllmor, London, to Elmer A. Sperry.

"I was very glad to hear that my suggestione
as to the organization of the Naval Advisory Board,
were found to be Interesting and of some possible value,

I feel very strongly that not only the country, but the
Navy Itself, must be waked up to their reponslblllty
for preparedness.

"The great ambition of the Naval Advisory Board
should be to connect the Navy with the great technical
and organizing resources of our country, and in this way
help them to solve their problems of technique and
organization. The Navy is not a mystery of the sea; it
is simply a great organization involving many technical
and organizing problems, which must be solved to gain
the maximum efficiency.

"The British Board of Inventions has gradually
expanded until, I believe, it is now accomplishing a
very useful function. I had a talk with Mr. Wilkins
last week in regard to thiB, and he told me that the
inventions Bureau had come to him for the solution of
several problems and had been more than glad to take
advantage of the experimental resources of his Company.
(This refers to the 'Western Electric Co.) The principal
problem they brought to him was the detection of the
approach of Zeppelins and submarines from a distance.

"Some time ago you sent me a copy of a letter to
your Committee of the Naval Advisory Board respecting
aids to navigation. At the time I had nothing to suggest
in regard to this. If anything comes to mind I certainly
will report about it."

As his mission cannot succeed in a degree
sufficient, to insure satisfactory completion of im¬
portant parts of our work without the co-operation of
representative Americans resident in England, it is
obviously necessary Miat he be placed in satisfactory

It would] bo of material assistance to have
Paymaster Tobey connected through your agency with
such of your representatives abroad as you may name,
and it would be a mark of your great interest in our
work if you consented to render the obstacles in the
way of the consummation of the Department's plan less**

If you could, consistently see your way clear to aid the
HAVY in this respect, your instructions or introductions may be
forwarded to the Paymaster General who will arrange for their
despatch, through the Department of State, in order to insure
the maximum of security in transmission and delivery.

Of course the Department does not aok that military
secrets of which your representatives have become cognizant in
the routino of their business connections be divulged; but seeta
through your connections only such information and co-operation
with respect to the subjects in hand as can properly bo given.

Deque sting an early reply, I am, with assurances of

respect

Faithfully yours,

'I

April nth- 1916

Roar admiral Samuel McGowan, U.S.B.,
Paymaster General, U. S. navy.

Bureau Supplies & accounts,
ilavy Department,

Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Referring once more to your favor of the
30th ultimo, let me say that I have just received
it from Mr. Edison this morning. He asks me to write
and say to you that he has an agent in London who
handles his regular business, such as phonographs
and motion pictures. If Mr. Sobey can make any
use of this agent, Mr. Edison will bo glad to in¬
struct him to give every assistance in his power to
Mr. Tobey. •

yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

April 13th. 1916..

Ur. Alfred F. Wagner,

Director, fhoraas A. .Edison, Ltd.,
164 Y.ardour Street,

London, V..,

England.

Dear llr. Y.agner:

1 take pleasure in introducing to you Ur. E. C.
1’obey of the United States i!avy. He is going to London
and till be attached to the American Embassy as Assistant
Uaval Attache, and it will be advantageous to him to have
an intimate acquaintance with American representatives.

1 am desirous that you should render Mr. 1’obey
any assistance that you can, and am sure that your usual
courteous attention will bo greatly appreciated by Mr.
Tobey as vveli as by myself.

yours very truly.

NAVY DEPARTMENT

FSR BUREAU OF ORDNANCE

WASHINGTON. D. C.

April 16, 1916.

My dear Mr. Edison:

What about the night photographic apparatus
that you spoke of at the last meeting I attended?
It is a good scheme if you can carry it out, and
I am very anxious to make a start with it.

Tours/ sincerely,

April 2£th. 19

Rear admiral Josenh StruuaBt U . S. H.,

Chief Bureau of Ordnance,

Davy Department,

Washington, D. C.

My dear Sir:

I sent your favor of the l£>th instant
to Mr. iJdiBon who has been spending a few weeks
in Florida, "his morning X have received u memo¬
randum from him asking me to write and Bay to you
that he is taking a little vacation and will be
hack at work in May, when he will start experiment¬
ing with the night photographic apparatus.

Yours very truly.

assistant to Mr. Edison.

Ttom, ftnrsromire Board

OF THE WfED STATES

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
13 PARKltOW, NKWYOKK

April 18, 1916.

Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

Edison Laboratory,

Orange, H. J.

Dear Sir:

I enclose herewith financial statement of the
Haval Consulting Board as of April 15th. As you will see
from this, the present bank balance is only $66.25. As
thiB balance will be wiped out upon settlement of the
unpaid bills amounting to $70.63, it will be necessary
that each member make a further contribution of $10. to
cover future expenses.

I would therefore be obliged if you would kindly
send me your oheok for $10. , made payable to the Haval
Consulting Board.

Tory truly yours, Ap fl '

P.S. The balance remaining from the $50. you sent some

time ago will be sufficient to cover this amount,
and you may therefore disregard this letter.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Finanoial statement, Baval Consulting Board
April IB, 1916.

Reoeipte :

posited In bank,
per letter of Pep A ^

Expenditures; 3f9F ei fii*

Salary of stenographer for February and Uaroh

Potty Oash spent from Peb. 21st to April 12th
Ront of two typewriters for February and March

18.50

31.25

14.00

Balanoe in bank, April 15

Unpaid BIIIb:

Welling, Paret & Oo. for additional stationery
Engineers Club - expenses of meeting fdaroh 8th

IavMi Comstotin^ B ®mw

or THE UNITED STATES

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

i:i Park Roiv, New York

April 21, 1916.

Mr- Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, B • J.

My Dear Mr. Edison:

In your absence I have written Mr
Saunders as per attached copy relative to oui
meeting of May 13th. I trust that this will
have your approval.

Yours very truly, ^ ft •
SECRETARY. J

Ta/gt

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Copy for Mr. Edison.

April 81, 1916.

Mr. W. L. Saunders,
11 Broadway,

Lfag communication from Capt.

My Bear Mr. Saunders:

1 am in recei]

Wm. Strother Smith

" While Dr. . .
dinner of the Amerios
diseussed the advi^i^l

of the Board in Annapt - — -

with the Seoretary, who expressed himself as Being very
much pleased with the proBpeot. I spoke of it to Mr.
Coffin, and he will seoona the motion of Dr. Baekeland,
who will take it up at the coming meeting. I hope it
will go through, because it will give the Board a
chance to see the Experimental Station there ana the
Post Graduate Sohool. "

I would like to know what you think about thlB proposition, in order
that 1 may if you aesire send a oiroular letter to our members asking
their opinions on the subject.

My own feeling is that on account of the very unsettled
situation we may all find it rather difficult to make the trip to
Annapolis at the time of our next meeting on May 13th, pleasant and
instructing as the visit might be. Moreover, Coffin' b committee will
be reaping their harvest of industrial reports at that time and it
would be interesting for our members to look over the work at the
Committee' 8 office.

TE/GT

Tours very truly,

April 26th. 1916.

Ur. Thomas Hob ins . .ecrotury,

Uaval Consulting Board of the United States,
13 Park Aon ,

How York City.

My dear Hr. Hob ins:

I am in receipt of your favor of the
21st inEtant, onclosing copy of a letter written
ty you xo Ur. Saunders as to the meeting of the
Board on L’.ay 13th.

It will be very inconvenient for me to
go to Annapolis, but that is no reason for making
any change if tho majority of the Members wish
to go.

Yours very truly,

TtoML COMSUILTIN©

OF THU UNITED STATUS

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
13 Park. Row, New’ York

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, N. J.

Bear Sir:

The next meeting of the Naval Consulting Board
will he held on Saturday, May 13th, at 10 A. M. , in the
rooms of the Board's Committee on Broduotion, Organization,
Manufacture and Standardization, Engineering Societies
Building, 29 West 39th Street, New York City.

Please mark and return the enclosed blank,
stating whether or not you expeot to attend this meeting.

570 West 189th Street,

AUS

Hew York City, \

A/VV'’1 ^V^******

lo^ IU.%* 4«V^IW iMT.

y.~4cl <<4^" vU.

„ » JtKL^U-*. -**■> I

Re sear oh
preparedness may aj
proposition to yovu

earoh worS^jfrom the standpoint of nationai*,c(u£y^ and
may appeal to you, so I beg to submit the following^
o your oareful consideration.

At the present time the raw materials for high explosives
such as glycerine, oarbolic acid and toluol, are both scarce a»4^
expensive; hence the explosives made from the products derived ^
from these compounds are naturally scarce and expensive. Instead
of separating from the cbal tars these different chemioals and.
purifying them at considerable expense, I take the entire distillate
from the tars and treat the same with the neoeseary ohemioals, and
obtain a product whioh has powerful explosive properties, whether
it is used alone or mixed with other ingredients. .The process of
manufacturing is comparatively simple, and the total cost of manu¬
facture would not exceed 6 <p per pound, while the explosive com¬
pounds in the market are rather expensive in comparison with this.

The explosives made with this oompound are what is
commonly called "safety" explosives, used in blasting and in ooal
mines. There 1b safety not only in manufacturing, but also in
handling and transporting the same, without incurring the dangers
attached to nitro-glyoerine and piorio acid accidents and diiii-
oulties.

As a oommeroial proposition this process may appeal to
you strongly because some of the maohinery employed in the manu¬
facture of war materials could be used advantageously in connection
with this proposition. Again, the raw material is so abundant
and oheap , that is, the oils whioh we can get at a cent a pound,

I oannot see any difficulty at;5all in manufacturing this product.
Should you be interested’ to look into this matter, I will be
pleased to oome down and see ybu and go into further details with
you. . ,

Hotline to hear from you in- the near future, I remain,

Hoping to hear from you in- the ne
Yours very truly,

Gheraioal & Explo

■ Engineer.

Hay 16-th. 1916.

Mr. John K. Mardiok,

570 Y.est 189th Street,

Mew York City.

lear Sir:

Your favor of the tenth instant to
Hr. EdiBon was received, and has had his atten¬
tion* He requests us to say in reply that he
does not think any Governmont would use any
heavy guns the type of explosive you mention.

It is of the utmost importance that the explo¬
sive time should be accurately known, otherwise
anyone could hit a mark.

Your 8 very truly.

Edison laboratory.

Ur. Simon Lake,

Milford, Conn.

Hay 39th. 1916

Dear Mr. Lake:

I have received your favor of the
33rd instant, together with a reprint of a seTies
of articles from International Marina Engineering.
These articles uro very interesting, and. I want
to than): y u for sending this copy to me.

Your a very truly.

^avaiu Consulting Board

or "oie united static

ppiCE OF THE SECRETARY

isBvrkRow, New York

To the members of the Hava! Consulting Board-
Bear Sirs:

May 26,

t/'

Jor your information I quote below extraot^^irom the Report of
the Committee on Naval Affairs of the House, to accompany H. R. 16947 : -

/

Naval Consulting Board

When the Navy Department learned how far behind some of the
belligerent nations were in the manufacture of munitions for war,
the Secretary of the Navy concluded that real preparedness re¬
quired that an attempt should be made to mobilise the industries
of the United States, as well as to provide means for military and
naval preparations. He appointed a civilian naval consulting board,
of which Mr. Thomas A. SdiBon was made chairman- Theae gentlemen
were appointed by the various engineering societies of the United
States and have volunteered their eervioes-wlthout oost to the
Government thus far and have been performing suoh important work
that the Secretary of the Navy and the committee on Naval Affairs
deem it proper that the actual expenses incurred by members of this
board should be paid by the Government, although no compensation
for their services is reoonanended- The committee reoommendB in the
bill the ereotlon of an experimental laboratory for the uee of the
Naval Consulting Board as elsewhere described in this report and
it 1b believed that these eminent engineera serving in an advisory
oapaolty will be of great assistance to the naval experts in solving
some of the very grave problems of the profeBBion, such as the
problem of the erosion of the guns, motors for aeroplanes, engines,
and batteries for submarines, and the very large problem of the or¬
ganisation of the industries of the country eo that in time of war
they oould easily be adjusted to make munitions- The object of this
Naval Consulting Board ie to create euoh a potentiality for manufac¬
ture of munitions that the organisation will be perfected so that
almost automatically, upon the declaration of war or in oase of
national emergency, the vast industrial resouroes of the country
will begin the manufacture and delivery of munitions of war-

While it is recognized that many of the naval Inventions have been
created by navel experts, yet civilian inventors and civilian engin¬
eers have given to the Navy some of its greatest improvements - It is
the opinion of the committee that the use of euoh inventive genius
should be obtained for the proper development and progress of prepar¬
edness, and the committee adopts the reoommendatlon of the Secretary
of the Navy that $26,000 be appropriated to pay the actual expenses
Incurred by and in oonneotion with the civilian Naval Consulting Board.

-1-

Experimental Laboratory

An appropriation of §1,000,000 is recommended for an "experimental
laboratory" to ooet not exceeding $1,600,000. The oommittee had
before it many distinguished engineers oomposing the Haval Consulting
Board, including Hr- (Thomas A- Edison. As heretofore stated, that in
the interest of preparedness and in an attempt to perfect a mobilisa¬
tion of the industrial interests of the United States, the oommittee
reoommends the ereotion of this laboratory in order that the multitu¬
dinous different details oonneoted with supplies for the Havy might
be perfected for one unit of all war machinery and to do it with the
greatest possible rapidity. (PhiB laboratory would standardise as far
as possible all parts of all machinery used in war and would exper-
lment with the practical work of soieAtifio development of the art of
war as regards the maohinery pertaining thereto. It would have to do
with the praotioal working out of soientifio deductions that have not
passed the theoretical experimental stage. . ... . „

Hr. Edison, at his own personal oost, submitted plans of buildings
in great detail which if oohstruoted would be of oonorete and like a
modem manufacturing building of plain construction. The plans sub¬
mitted showed in detail whereby the various units of maohinery for
warfare might be produoed and standardiaed'.'-such as aeroplanes, range
finders, submarine engines, small guns^djmws^ning relating to war
maohinery. By these means eaoh unit /opuAd- be^pbr^eoted, the gauges
produoed, and arrangements made with /various shbppX throughout the
oountry, so that on telegraphio notihf»the various, Wilts could be man¬
ufactured. It is not intended that /a Ur eat /faumbef tot any unit should
be manufactured at any time, but that V$hQ; gauges ,£j«to . , be so perfec¬
ted that the potentiality of having the-tu)i,tB. mad«f dt ahort notice will
be provided for. The laboratory will b^equipped.with many different
toolB, but they will be of standard make/ -capable of making plmoBt
any motion. Ab soon as any unit of war ma'ahiiftdry 1b perfected by thiB
laboratory, specifications can be oarefully drawn so that the commer¬
cial enterprises of the oountry can and will know definitely that the
work oan be done. This will interest and tend to mobilize the in¬
dustrial interests of the United States. Contractors will know that
there is no risk in taking the oontraot, Binoe the laboratory has
perfected the unit in question, and in oonBequenoe of vrtiioh oon®eti-
tion will result and the Government will be able to obtain war material
and maohinery at a greatly reduoed prioe. . ... . ..

A great advantage thiB Government laboratory will have will be the
assistance, without oost to the Government, of the various societies
of meohanioal and ohemioal engineers, as well as civil engineers of
the United States, comprising in all about 30,000 engineers, all of
whom are willing to render patriotic service in a scientific way
without oost to the Government- The committee therefore in the in¬
terest of real preparedness reoommends this appropriation to the
favorable consideration of the House.

ZZYYXXXXYXX

Yours very truly,

TOO*.* AS TtCPJf,'r

Secretary/

KaVAL, COJfSXJIiTING BOAKD

OF THE UNITED STATES

To the members of the Haval Consulting Board.
Bear Sirs:

For your information I quote below extracts from the Haval
Bill (H. H. 15947).

Haval Consulting Board

n for actual expenses inourrea by ana in connection
with the civilian Haval Consulting Board, #25,000. "

Experimental laboratory

'« for laboratory and research work, including the
construction, equipment ana operation of a laboratory,
to be expended at the aisoretion of the Secretary of the
Havy (limit of cost, not to exoeea #1,500,000), #1,000,000. "

yours very truly,

THOMAS ROBINS

Secretary.

'Xaval Gomsxlting Board 'rt

OF 12BU3 UNITED STATES

1 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
13 Park ROW, New York

May 27, 1916.

To the members of the Haval Consulting Board.

Bear Sirs;

Please take notice that in aoooraanoe with
our rule the next regular meeting of the Board will he
held on Saturday June 10th, this being the Beoond
Saturday of the month. UnlesB some change in the place
and hour is agreed upon, the meeting will be heia in
the rooms of the Committee on Production, Organization,
Manufacture and Standardization, 29 West 39th Street,
Hew York City, at 10 A. H.

Please mark and return the enclosed form
stating whether or not you expect to attend this
meeting.

Yours very truly,

Thomas RoblnB ,
SECRETARY.

TR/gt

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IffAVAL COMSWMNG BOARD

or THE CNTTED STATES

office or the secretary
laBvnRTJow, New York

TV

June 7, 1916. ^

lo the members of the Naval Consulting Board,

Bear Sirs:

I have oolleoted from all the makers of
moving -piotureB the films that they took of the
Pr^prithdness ^Parade, and have arranged ±h to have
/these pictures* shown in a room of the Engineers Club
o\i/saturday Ve 10th inst. The pictures will he

shown ‘either after the meeting
adjournment thereof.

r during an

Yours very truly.

Thomas RohinB,
Secretary.

Ur. Humbert;

You will reraerabor that a little while ago Hr. Edison
received a lottor and several forms from the Committee on In¬
dustrial Preparedness and the letter ana forms were handed over
to you for attention.

lir. a. A. Bachman of the Storage Battery is on a Sub¬
committee, and has had assigned to him the duty of collecting
the same sort of data from several manufacturing concerns in
this vicinity, not connoetoa with us in any way.

Mr. Bachman would very much like to see the letter
which was sent to Hr. Edison with the blanks, eo that in writ¬
ing to the concerns assigned to him, he can use practically the
same phraseology. If you have the letter at hand, will you
please have a copy of it mado and sent ovor to Hr. Bachman.

\V. U. MEADOW CHOFE.

Naval Consulting Board
and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence
July-December 1916

July 3rd. 1916.

Hr.

Frank Shuman,

3400 Me ston Street,
-acony, l-hilade
Fonnsylvs

Bear Sir:

| have received your favor of the 29th ultimo,
also copy of application for patent to provide for the
running of a submarine helot; the surface of the water with
its gasoline or oil online.

In my opinion there would ho too much "wake".
However, I shall send your letter ana the specifications to
the Secretary of the liaval Consulting Board, who will for¬
ward it to the proper committee for c one i deration.

Yours vory truly.

FRANK SHUMAN

6-t

Thomas A. Edison, Esq., y

Naval Consulting Board of United States
Office of the Chairman,

Orange, New Jersey. '

Dear Sir:-

J

-*r

I have your letter of July 3rd. and thjink you for offering !
to present what I had to communicate to the Secretary of the . ^ <>-/-

V^vJ K*-*. rp--

Naval Consulting Board.

You Bay in your letter that in your op inioIJf^e£f
too much "Wake", and in regard to this would say that I am perfectly ^
sure, from experiments made in the past, that there will be no wake
qt all, because the products of combustion when liquified oxygen is
used, are water and carbonic acid. The water will, of course, at once
condense, and the carbonic acid will be thoroughly absorbed in the
sea water, owing to the fact that it is ejected into the surrounding
water in the form of almost micropBCopical bubbles, which will quick¬
ly absorb in the great mass of sea water, particularly when aided by
the swirling of the propellor.

Uy proposed method of propelling submarines is a rather
revolutionaryrone, but every factor involved has been tried out
separately, in an experimental way, and after a reasonable amount
of actual trying, there is no doubt in my mind that it will enable
our Government to build submarines which will have 50# greater speed
than is possible with the present known methods. V

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

7/5/16

After the proper Committee has carefully gone into what
I propose, I will he glad to appear before them, and try to answer
any questions which may occur to them.

Yours very truly.

ES:A\7

July 71i. 1916.

Hr. Prank Shuman,

3400 hiss ton Strcot,

faoony, Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania .

Dear Sir:

In reply to yours of the fifth instant,
let me suggest that you had hotter try the experi¬
ment in a small way. You may get incomplete com¬
bustion, leakage , etc., and produce no ahsorhshle
gases • She Davy men have thrown out several schemes
where very slight wakes wore shown.

Yours very truly.

C3uly 11 'J

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

COMMITTED

TEN

TO OPPOSE LEGISLATION ANTAGONISTIC TO EFFICIENCY IN AMERICAN INDUSTRY
Hoorn 018-52 BROADWAY, NIiW YORK

PRESIDENT SEEMINGLY FAVORS ANTI-EFFICIENCY RIDERS.

(1) Tavenner Bill H.R.8665I- No chango.

(2) Van Dyke Bill H.R.8677:- No change.

(3) p. Q. Appropriation BUI H.R. 10484:- How in handB of Conference Committee of
Senate 4 House without rider. Probably pass without rider.

(4) Naval Appropriation Bill H.R.15947:- Awaiting action of Senate. Senate Naval
Affairs. Committee failed to remove rider.

(5)

Army Appropriation Bill H. R. 16460:-
Committee Military Affairs reported
aotion of Senate.

Passed House with Tavenner rider. Senate
to Senate with rider removed. Now awaiting

(6)

Fortifications Appropriation Bill H.R.14303:- Is now law with Tavenner. rider
in, passed by the House 197 to 117 - by Senate 36 to 20, signed by the president.

Referring to (4) and (6):- Keep putting facts before Senators.

During House consideration of Fortification Bill, Dallingor offered amendment
to Tavenner rider making it inapplicable in any department if a majority of
workors therein stated in' writing they wanted bonus and time-study. This amend¬
ment was voted down by Tavenner and associates, showing plainly they know that
the workers do want these methods, but; are not to bo allowed to prove it.

During Senate consideration of this bill, Senator Weeks blundered by oaring
his amendment to strike out Tavenner rider before any discussion was had. This
opened way for motion of Bryan to lay on table (not debatable) the Weeks amend¬
ment It was laid on table by voto 36 to 20, 39 not voting. (Record, June 30,

The majority leader of the House advised us that a letter from the President
indicating his opposition to tho riders would be sufficient to eliminate them.
This was conveyed to the President in time to prevent passage of the rider on
the first bill (Fortifications) to be acted on in the House. So far as known,
the President took no action, Telegram followed by letter to President offer¬
ing evidence of real desire of workmen, was not acknowledged.

COMMITTEE OF TEN

W. Herman Greul, Secy.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.,

WASH I NOTON.

July 22, 1916.

My dear Mr. Edison:-

I am enclosing herewith a copy of a letter to
the Chairman, Naval Affairs Committee, and a copy
of the enclosure to him (letter from the Naval

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Edison laboratory,
Orange, N. J.

Enclosures.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

July 21, 1916.

i.'y dear Mr. Chairman •. -

tonsulting Board with reference
to the qWi ic.§ JQLicalion of the laboratory pro¬

vided in -hey believe that the House
provision, ljj^ytag- -jijfte location to be settled after r.
conference and investigation, is a matter of greet im¬
portance and they are very much opposed to the provision
in the donate Bill, secured by Bona tor Ballinger, locat¬
ing it in Vushlngton .

It may be that '.Va string ton ia the best place, but
if the location is left to be determined after a acmai-
deration of all elements entering into the question,
Y/aahington will be selected if it is the beet place.

I entirely agree with the view of the members of
the duvul Consulting Board and trust that no fixed lo¬
cation will he made In the bill.

Sincerely yours,

(ogd) Josephus Daniels

Kon. Bemuel ?. radge tt, Chairman,
Naval Affairs Committee,
.'/ashing ton, D. C.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

BAVA.L COKoUi/TIilG BO.vnU
of the united ctntae.

rnia decision ah ^d^x-0 join!

KSt***"^ Bepar^l J Consulting

affecting operation ana ointie».«. -

activity.

a. trust that tM futur. ;“?£?" J

JS£3 ?i?S' »« “rt «» introduction

limitation as to location.

f;. 3. Tnitiiey
a. : . : atc'-.ieon
B. is. Thayer
: . Cooper Hewitt,
Elmer A. -perry
c. Be Here
A. i.. Biter
3. U . Bamnse
Lawrence Addicke
Bion J. Arnold
Hudson ./.astim

Thomas n. Kdieon, thalrman
lillifiin -• iiaundaro# Vlth-tr •*
Thorau t Botins, Q 1 y •

-1. a. .Vaboter
Frank J. dprague
11. B. Coffin
Alfred Craven
jpenoer Hiller
V/. B. K. iimmet
A. ;A. Hunt
j seph iiichards

ANN AP OLIO MD JULY 26-16
THOMAS A EDISON

MEMBER NAVAL ADVISORY BOARD WEST ORANGE Nd

kindly aid us in having naval experimental and reberrsk laboratory

LOCATED AT ANNAPOLIS WHERE THE NAVAL EXPERIMENT STATION IS LOCATED
IN LAND OWED BY GOVERNMENT IN ORDER THAT MIDSHIPMEN BEING EDUCATED
HERE MAY BUOY ITS ADVANTAGES AND OUR NAVAL AC AD BAY MAY BECOME
THE GREATEST NAVAL INSTITUTION IN THE WORLD.

JAMES F STRANGE
MAYOR OF CITY OF ANNAPOLIS

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Tlie Location

...OF THE..

New Naval Experiment
and Research Laboratory

...PREPARED BY THE...

National League of Government Employees

BRANCH No. 16. ANNAPOLIS. MD.

...AND ENDORSED BY...

Mayor, Counselor and Aldermen of Annapolis,
the Citizens Committee, and County! Com¬
missioners of Anne Arundel County.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

“THE LOCATION OF THE NEW
NAVAL LABORATORY.”

•auk,, uv tub National Lkaiipb of Govbiinmknt Umi'Ijiyeer,
Biiakcii No. 16, Annapolis. Mil

'I’ll,, fnllmvio" iirlifli. Ims lieeii prepmvil t(

apply

»• for I'M

ins an ins.i.otinn „l irmly hK.MUhi.1 ratli.-r than Ht«rt.iw m

v,

^^rSKrarsCMs

entirely 1

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

joints Hopkins University, however, is located fur front tint wa¬
ter front so Hint it is doubtful whether tins school conltl render
tttorr assistance to a laboratory in Baltimore Imrltor than to tint
prosont station at Annapolis.

Of the yrcatcst mportancc, however, it tin ' location of the
new laboratory at the II. .S'. Naval Academy, where it may serve
as an inspiration to tile mitlsliipmon, tint post-graduate students,
tlu* naval affinors, ami the civilian professors and instraci ora
stationcii there. Tim mi.lsl.ip.mnt when they graduate will then
he familiar with the latest .levelopment -in the machinery am
apparatus of which they will soon have responsible charge. «
the lahoratory also will benefit from this by the presence ot the
expcrienceil naval officers at the Academy. 1 ossibly the post¬
graduate students may find the proper solution ot a problem VOS-
injr the workers in the laboratory.

We will now close this article by simply quoting from the
Annual Report of the Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engineering
for 1904- “The Experimental Station at Annapolis. It having
been found impracticable to erect the building for this purpose
within tile limits of the Naval Academy grounds, the Board ap¬
pointed to select a site chose an admirable one across the Severn
River at a distance of only a litilf mile from tbe Santee wharf,
where tlm building can be erected within 200 yards i ot the
dredged 30-foot channel. On shore close to this site a lull about
(10 feet high rises abruptly, forming an excellent location for a
fresh-water reservoir, which can be filled front wells. No less
than four wells have been sunk at random in this vicinity , and
at a depth of from In to 30 feet, fresh water has been found m
every case. Back from the shore the land rises in every dime-
tion' and will form a well-drained site for the erection ot such
dwellings as ...ay he needed in future for officers and employees.

- L

THE SPERRY GYROSCOPE COMPANY

LONDON - PARIS - Miutn - . . .

ST. PETERSBURG - FIUME - COPENHAGEN
STOCKHOLM - CONSTANTINOPLE

MANHATTAN BRIDGE PLAZA
BOROUGH BROOKLYN
NEW YORK CITY

IMPORTANT: ADDRESS REPLY TO ATTENTION O

July 27, 1916. ri

i L**

&*\C(T V

Xr. Thomas Edison,

So- Orange, H.J.

Eear Mr. Edison:

I have a very fine friend, I!. ’Vatanabe, Professor
of Electrical Engineering and Physics in the Post Graduate
School of the Japanese Navy. He has been with us here on
a matter of compasses, and v:e have grown to be very fond
of him. He is shortly returning to Japan and wants very
much to shake you by the hand and look into your face before
leaving this country. At the last meeting of the Board
X had him up there and he met a number of the members, but
as you did not appear he missed seeing you. May I bring him
over to you some time next week?

Sincerely y

//

EAS/C

' South Baltimore Harbor and Improvement Company

OF ANNE AltUNDEI* COUNTY

OFFICE! 8 EAST LEXINGTON STREET
Baltimore, Md.

Hr . Eliomas A. Edison, Chairman,

ITaval Advisory Board,

V/est Orange, Hew Jersey.

August 1st, 1916.

Dear Sir:-

The South Baltimore Harbor and Improvement Company of
Anne Arundel County is the owner of large tracts of water front
at Curtis Bay, Maryland, and I deBire to submit the same for your
consideration in connection with the location and establishment
of the Naval laboratory, provided for in the new Naval Appropri¬
ations Bill now pending in Congress.

I especially call your attention to the proximity of
this Company’s property to the large industrial plants, that are
engaged in the manufacture of chemicals and other products valu¬
able to the nation industrially and defensively. Its. Railroad

and Shipping facilities are unexcelled, and it is within thirty
minutes ride from the famous Johns Hopkins Hospital and University.
Furthermore, a large number of Shipbuilding Plants are located in
this vicinity.

Curtis Bay is strategically situated in Anne Arundel
County, near Baltimore, Maryland, and the United States Govern¬
ment has already located one of its Revenue Cutter Stations at
this place. I also take the liberty of calling your attention
to a report made in 1884 by Ensign W. J. Chambers, U. S. N. ,
published by an Act of Congress and submitted to the Honorable
Jos. L. Hawley and others, a Special Committee of Congress, in
which he recommends Curtis Bay for the location of a great Govern¬
ment Navy Yard, speaking of it as one of the finest land-locked
harbors on the Atlantic seaboard.

We would be pleased to give you whatever information
you might desire, in reference to this proposition, at any time.

ffAVAiL: Consulting Board

OF xnETJJfKTEn STATES

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

13 Park Row. New York

\ it \

~**k°*? w- tv-

•Do the Members of the Haval Consulting Board:
Bear Sirs;

J^VSO

A\

the Navy
Hepair

She following letter has been received v from the Secretary yox^.-
levy who in turn received it from the Bureau of Construction and^4. ^

<&/

I _ _ Ho. 13311-A279. ^ ' Afy

S' /

to: Naval Consulting Board. Ho . 13311-A279 .

Subjeot: Information relative to "gold beater’s shin".

1. She Bureau desires to obtain information with
regard to "gold beater’s shin" for Hydrogen Sas cells for
airships. Information would be appreciated under the
following heads :

(a) Source of raw material,

(b) Processes in fabrication,

.Jo}- Commercial uses,

/ t*fc-)rPre aervation of flexibility,

wrt •» «■«

‘ - material.

(signed)

Sohaefer ,
Aoting.

"" Is this is a matter concerning which information may be
possessed by any one of our members, I am sending this letter to all of
our members with the request that any. one who can contribute any
information on the subjeot forward it at once to this office.

Yours very truly,

itiOMAS ROBINS

Secretary,

naval 00H3U1EIHS BOARD*

Naval Consulting Board

OF THE UNITED STATES

Jetroit, August 12, 1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison, "*

East Orange, U. J.

Dear Doctor Edison:- \]

As President of the Detroit section
of the .4merican Chemical Society, it gives me great
pleasure to inform you that at a recent meeting of
the Official Board it was the unanimous opinion that
the Society would gladly welcome you as one of our
speakers for the coming year. Our meetings are held
on the third Thursday of each month from September to
May, inclusive.

I trust that you can arrange to gratify the
wishes of the chemists in Detroit, and anxiously await
your letter advising me of the same.

Yours very -truly

j,5r. ;!ov;aru 1 • urabor,

16 Locust street,

Detroit, J.deh..

Dy d oar Mr. Grab or:

X us in rcceint of your favor of
the 12t!i ine taut, unci toe to Buy Mint ,o save
my life i ooulfl not get up enough courage to
make a speech before an auGionce. Muerofore,
ploc.ee o.-.cuee ao from complying with your '
ro quest.

Yours very truly.

august 14th. 1916

i,lr. Thomas robins, oecrotury,

Haval Consulting Board of the United
13 fart How,

How York City.

States ,

Bear Ur. nob ins s

kopl^ing to your communication relative
to "gold boater's skin", I would say that William
Uaogorlin manufactures very thin skins liko goia
boater’s' skins, ana I think he also manufacturers
the latter as well. His address is 2701 Archer Ave¬
nue, Chicago, Ill*

1 havo at Laboratory somo vary fine samples
of his woik. I can send some if you desire.

Yours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

t'ZiL

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, '

Uxu

(VjUv ^y Au'Jas!ti'l6, 1916'.

My dear to .Edison: -f>Ji*., A •^St&

I desire to call a meeting of th<f Haval Consulting Board'-"**

1 _ ^ in September so we can effect an organization under the new

law and make provision for the early erection of the Laboratory.

I think this meeting ought to be held in Washington, so that we
could organize it here and then subsequent meetings could be held
wherever you think best. How would Wednesday. September ISth,
suit you? If that is agreeable, if you will please have your
Secretary to telephone me, I will name that date. If that date
will not suit, please name a date as near that as possible, say
the 14th or ISth.

With sentiments of eBteem and high regards, to Mrs. Edison
and all in your home, in which my wife and boyB Join, I am.

Sincerely, your friend,

The passage of the Havy Bill oarrying the big appropriation
is an epoch-making event and I think the influence of the Haval
Consulting Board and the faith of the people in them haB been a

i contributing faotor in the success of our Haval Administration.
Faithfully yourB,

P.S.

large (

Mr. Thomas Edison,

East Orange, H. J.

/l/s- y' S' ^ Ctr j-IGCJ

Aug. 2a, 1916.

Hr. fhomas A. Edison,

C/o Ur. John Burroughs,

Hoxbury , Hew York.

Bear Sir:

She following is confirmation of. highteleSta r
sent you this evening via Western Union hy Ur. Hutchison:

SBC3BCAHY 0? SUE DAVY’S ICIUHHAHY IS AS EJLLO’VS:

OK SUE 29TH THOIUIDIXK, MAIIiS, 302H HOCZLAKD UAIHE,

31st BACH HAHiE, SBPSEUBEB EIHSC POBCLLHD MAIIIE,

SECoKD XICEEBY MAIIIS. DO SKOAOJSl.ISilCS AC PH35B1IC PURCHEH
CHAK SECODD. UBS. DAlIIKLS IS AC PODAXID SPHIHGS UAIIIE,

CO WHICH UB. DAHIELS WILL GO WEEK HE EIHISHES HIS LEGCUBE

coin.

Che above is no doubt self-explanatory.
Bespectfully ,'

HifmtB? of JKppmJBtttattupH % i
•HaBljitujkm, 0. <h

Thomas A. Edison, Esq. ,

Chairman Naval Consulting Board,
East Orange, N.J.

My dear Mr. Edison:

Esq. , t%A-

isulting Board, •

UA

i: ^

The Naval Appropriation Bill^will

speoifio provision for the location of a Bite for the proposed ^
Research laboratory, provided in the measure, when it is passed
finally, the Senate having receeded from its amendment oallingX ,
for the erection of the same in Washington. \ r. hv-<*** /

The absence of suoh provision will leave the
question in the hands of the Navy Bepartment, which will be
guided, of course, by the Naval Consulting Board, of which you
are the eminent ohairman. For this reason I have taken the
liberty of presenting to you some facts in regard to the desira¬
bility, due to natural advantages, of having this laboratory
erected at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

The Government now owns at the Philadelphia
Navy Yard a vast track of land available for this purpose,
situated on a deep fresh water ohannel into which the largest
battleships afloat or contemplated may be brought. The Phila¬
delphia Navy Yard is only a few minutes ride from the centre of
Philadelphia, and enjoys all the' transportation facilities both
by land and water that are enjoyed by that city. Philadelphia
is acknowledged by Naval authorities to be the best labor market
in the East.

These advantages which I have endeavored to
enumerate comprise virtually all of the recommendations made by
your Board in its first report on the question. In faot, upon
reading the report and knowing the natural advantages of the
Philadelphia Navy Yard I oould but think that the Naval Consult¬
ing Board had that port in mind in outlining its specifications
for an ideal site.

It is my honest conviction that anything you
do which may lead to the ereotion of the Research laboratory in
Philadelphia will not be amiss, but will be for the best interest
of all concerned. I would appreciate it if you would let me
know of developments in this matter.

Very truly you^s,

Septorabor 12th. 1916.

Kon. V.illiam 2. Vare,

Uouee of EoprescntativoB,
i.aahington, £. C.

bear tir. Vare:

lour favor of the 28th ultimo hae boen
laid before mo on ciy return from a abort vacation.

lot me say in reply that the iiava'l- 1 ..n-
sulting Board mill investigate the advantages of
the location you name in duo time.

. lours very truly.

ROARS O® TRADE

jim

31VSIJfJES» SIKX’S ASSOOIAMOK
SOllFOtK, VIRGINIA.

August 29, 1916.

s

Hon. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange ,

Hew Jersey,

i ( LZCO'S
\todl T

> i

Loim. 'Hh
ting the fact

My dear Mr. Edison,

Appreciating ^thT fact that you
are much interested in the location of the VM
laboratory to he used for the investigation and re
ear oh in all matters pertaining to Haval dev8d°f"

<mt, I am taking the liberty of w£itd“S ^ setting
orth reasons why the laboratory should be looated
in this section.

X earnestly hope that you may
find an opportunity to oome dawn and 1?°J.ove^At“? _
situation before you make any recommendation to the
Honorable Secretary of the Havy. This Sanitation
will he at your services for any further information,
or to Conduct you or any committee you may desire to
send to investigate.

My reasons for suggesting thiB
locality are as follows;

1st . This looation, on aooount of the mild¬
ness of the winters, offers superior advantages,' the
waters in this seotion being entirely free of ice and
always open to shipping.

2md. Beoause it is near to Washington and
aooessible at all times to the capital
Havy, and wohld therefore be most convenient to such
officers of the Havy Department as might find it neoes
ear y° to 8 spend par t of their time at said laboratory.

3rd. Beoause in this immediate vicinity are
looated the Horfolk Havy Yard and the
nhin building plant, where vessels are likely to be
always in the course of construction, and there would
be no difficulty in procuring skilled labor and hav¬
ing suoh outside work done as may be required.

BOAJIB or THAI) 12
MUSIJfESS MEX'S A88OOLVTIOX
aroiiFOi-K, vmciixiA

4th. Because mild ana salubrious climate of this
section will prove conducive to Beeuring the 1 best
class of work both in-doors and out aoorB the year
around.

5th. .Beaouse it has excellent transportation S
facilities, both hy land and water, from all points
of the country, north, west and south, at rates which
will compare with any seaport looation.

6th The ample and pleasant hotel accommodations,
both in the City of Horfolk, and at Old Poiflt and New¬
port Hews would tend to make this point an attractive
looation to the members of the Haval Advisory Board
who would be interested in the work to be carried for¬
ward at said laboratory.

7th. Beaouse a laboratory located at this point
would be protected by the guns of Fortress Monroe, and
the construction of the great fort at Cape Henry, when
completed will render the waters in these parts practi¬
cally immune from attack.

Hoping that you will give thiB looelity favor¬
able consideration on account of its many advantages,

I am

Yours very respectfully,

DIRECTORS

September 5th, 19X6,

&«*

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Menlo Park, New Jersey.
Dear Mr. Edison:

7 tsxJLt W ^

r j

To-day there'^calXe^.dh me a Mr. Samuel Spitz whose
home is in Oakland, California, #2646 - 14th Avenue.

Mr. Spitz tells me that he has developed a device
that enables him to see through dense fog, and also to pierce the
darkness of the night and to clearly Identify and distinguish
objects at sea up to five miles away from the point of vision.

He tells me he has laid this matter before our
Secretary of Navy, Mr. Daniels, and that the Naval Board is about
to make further tests at the Laboratory in Oakland.

He expressed a desire to have the honor of meeting
y4u and as X am on several Committees identified with National
Defense, and have been working on some programs for our own govern¬
ment, I am asking the liberty of giving him a letter addreBBed to
you.

So that you may know who he is , and what he has done ,
I am mailing this in advance of his call.

Youre very truly,

JAS.ff.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison, v 1 1 't. S ,

Chairman, Naval Advisory Board, ] VA^ — > c
Orange, New Jersey. V ^ ^-c'°

September 6, 1916.

1 CL—

. UXUy -2- '

Bear Sir:- | & ^

In view of the facV that the defeat of

y>>-tXo

Senate amendment to the Haval Appropriation Bill, which di- <
reoted that the proposed Naval Experimental laboratory should
be erected in Washington, onoe more leaves the selection of a
site for this Institution an open question, we wish to reiter¬
ate the request that has previously been made by the Chamber of
Commerce that Philadelphia should be selected as the place where
this Experimental Station should beJ^Alt.^

To successfully oo^fJifi#ork of such an es¬
tablishment it is necessary that it be located at a point which
may be easily reached by deep dral^tt •yessels that it may be
near the source of supply of material, tequired and close to a

community of skilled artisans trained -l^lhe- various branches

of meohanieal and ohemical processes involved in carrying on the
work of such a laboratory.

It is desirable that Buch a Station should be
in close touch with the shipbuilding industry, but at the same

Mr. Thomas A. Edison. TV/O.

time so located that the experimental work of the government
oould he carried on with absolute seorecy.

All of these advantages exist at Philadelphia,
in addition to which the approaoh from the sea could he so pro¬
tected as to make it practically safe from attack from that
direction.

In the opinion of the Philadelphia Chamber of
Commerce the conditions existing at this city should he given
most oareful consideration before the location of the proposed
Laboratory is decided upon and that it, would be to the best
interest of the entire country if this city should be selected
as the location for this plant.

We therefore respectfully petition that when the
question of the selection of a site’ rf or the Laboratory is serious
ly considered that you use your influence toward having the city
of Philadelphia seleoted.

Very truly yours.

General Secretary.

Sept orabor 18th .1916 .

fix. John A. Lsenor, President,

Board of frade and Business -ion's Association,
Borfolk, Va.

Dear Sir: ■ :

Your favor of the Both 'ultimo has been
laid before mo on my return from a short vacation.

let me Bay in reply that the A aval Con¬
sulting Board will investigate the advantages of
the location you. namo in duo time.

Yours very- truly.

Katol CrofsinmG Boato

Ur. Thomas A. Edis<

Edison laboratory,

Sept. 13, 1916.

On aooonnt of his rtwrti absenoe from Washington, I have been
nnable to get in direct communication with Secretary Daniels ana to obtain
full particulars concerning the business to be transacted at the meeting
of the Board whioh will he held in Washington on Tuesday the 19th Inst. It
is expected, however, that the following matters will be discussed:-

1. Suoh re-organisation of the Haval Consulting Board as may he
called for hy the fact that the Board has been duly legalized hy Act of
Congress in the recent Haval Appropriation Bill. (See attaohea quotation A
from said Bill).

S. Discussion of plans of the Experimental laboratory for whioh
the sum of $2,000,000 has been appropriated in the Aot above mentioned.

(See attaohea quotation B from said Bill).

3. Consideration of the various sites whioh have been suggested for
the laboratory.

4. Consideration of plan whereby the need of the Havy *x for an
increased number of engineer officers both active ana on the reserve list
may be brought to the attention of the civilian engineers of the United.

States .

6. Beports of Committees.

Further Information concerning the meeting is contained in the
following note Just reoeived from Dr. M. R. Hutohison, who haB been in
telephone oonmmnioa tion with Secretary DanielB:-

We will spend three days on this next trip. We go
to the Secretary's offioe at 11 A. M. on the 19th. We then go
aboard the Mayflower for lunch and to hold our meeting. While
on hoard she will he on way to Southern Drill Grounds. We
spend the night aboard and on the 20th witness target praotioe
all day and until 12 midnight. Thursday morning we arrive in
Washington and depart for our respective homes.

Further particulars will he forwarded aB soon as they are received,
and it should he noted that the plan for the proposed trip depends mainly
upon the weather whioh prevails next week, as Naval target praotioe is not
attempted in had weather owing to the faot that small boats must he used
in connection with the work.

It is probable that a supplementary notice will he Issued

tomorrow.

lours very truly,

THOMAS ROBIN?

Seoretary,

HAVAL CONSULTING BOARD.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Quotation from Naval Appropriation Bill H. B. 16947

a. (Pago 10, linos 10-11) Por actual expenses inourred by and in

oonneotion with the oivilian Naval Consulting Board, $26,000.

b. (Pago 42, lines 4-16) BXPBtlMBBgAS AND RESEARCH DABORAICKt:

Jor laboratory and researoh work on the subjeot of gun erosion,
torpedo motive power, the gyrosoope, submarine guns, proteotion
against submarines, torpedo and mine attaok, improvement in
submarine attachments, improvement and development in submarine
engines, storage batteries and propulsion, improvement in radio
installations and sueh other neoessary work for the benefit of
the Government servioe, inoluding the oonBtruotion, equipment
and opera^itfpj^^vi^al^oratory, the employment of soientifio
beoome neoessary, to be expended
Secretary of the Navy, $2,000,000.

September 19th* 1916

Ur. if. fl. Kelly, General Secretary,

Philadelphia C.j&mbor of Commerce,

Aldc'nor ;)uiiaingr,

| ■- \ Philadelphia, . Pa.

hoar Sir:

Your favor of .the sixth ins tent was
roccivod and laid before Ur* -.dison on his return
from a Ghort vacation.

,1- lie wishes mo to acknowledge your letter

• and to say that Philadelphia will receive corn: id ora¬
tion when the location of tho Wave! Experimental
laboratory comos under discussion.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur* Edison.

Sir:

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

September 19, 1916.

In uursuance of authority conferred by the Act of
Congress' entitled "An Act Makin" appropriations for the
naval service for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth,
nineteen hundred and seventeen, and for other purposes",
approved August 29, 1916, a board, legally designated
the "Haval Consulting Board", is hereby constituted and
appointed for the purpose of consulting and making recom¬
mendation to the Department concerning matters affecting
the naval establishment.

The members of such Board are, as you are aware, not
to receive any salary or compensation, their services
being voluntary.

Provision is made by the law for the expenses in¬
curred by and in connection with the Board, and appropriate
instructions will be issued to the Paymaster General of
the Havy relative to the defraying of such expenses.

The Board will meet at the Navy Department, Washington,
on Tuesday, the 19th instant, for the purpose of organiza¬
tion, and will meet thereafter when convened by the Depart¬
ment, and at 3uch other times and places as may be specified
by you.

The Board will prescribe rules and regulations for its
own government, furnishing the Department a copy thereof,
v.'ith report, when organization shall have been effected.

, . It is desired that all matters submitted to or con¬
sidered by the Board be regarded and treated as strictly
..confidential, unless and until this restriction shall be
;removed by the Department.

The President- of the

Haval Consulting Board,

Havy Department, Washington, D.C.

Sincerely yours,

NAVY . DEPARTMENT

Sept .19, 19161

'in welcoming the members- of the Naval
Consulting Board, Secretary Daniels

’ In the creation of the Naval Sivil-iraw Consulting Board, a
new experiment has been tried in voluntary patriotic service
for the country. Your presence here today, with the imprimatur
of Congressional action upon what has been undertaken, shows
that the experiment has hehind it united public approval and
undivided public support.

When war burst upon Europe, it was evident that some of
the great nations, while ready with dreadnaughts and sea craft,
and while having more or less trained officers and men, lacked
what the war has taught us is essential, to wit, the utilize-
tion of the inventive, engineering and scientific talent, and
the ability to readily mobilize the industries of the country
for national defense. Trained men were called from munition
plants and machine shops to serve in the trenches. It required
reverses to teach the folly of putting men skilled in the making
of shells to carrying guns, for while there developed a shortage
of irioni the' fi'rtSt crisis came when men lacked the munitions to wage
an effective war.. These men were soon recalled to the plants and
factories where they did more for their country's defense in molding
the instruments of war than they could render on the field of battle.
The United States has now put in operation a policy that regards men
making munitions as enlisted for national defense as truly as the

-2-

men wlio follow the colors in the shock of actual oonfliot. ; Never
again will any country fail to appreciate tuat the mechanic an .
the munition maker is the man behinc. che gan. ■

But we learned lessons from twis great war unicU
trying through the Baval' Consulting Boaru to make available, -..e
fi?s?Bwas the need of- cooperation, study, and research between
civilian and naval experts, engineers, and scientists. Uot a
few of the inventions that have been most valuable, in
vpio-unent came from the brains of civilians. -<pen it seemet.
wf^ePto is°ue a“?0.o. call to civilian scientists and engineer!
to'aid in^ naval preparedness. I naturally turned to America a
most distinguished inventor, whose inventive Genius is o^
celled by his robust patriotism, for ana counsel. 1 ap¬

pealed to itr . ihomas a. Edison to lend ms name ana advice
in creating the organization ^whic. today ^oomesa legalisea^
•ofa.rt of the liavy. He responded with a cneer-ul -y » * *.

and then came the question as; to how the “^“fLcidef

board should' be chosen. After consideration, it was cemdec.

not only- to ask the twenty-four eminent ““nn^oboaidtoen
ii«t for • this patriotic task, hut to seek to enroll the ruii

dozen eminent men representing those . mganiza '■ions- lf^i hau^

cholen^'bu^refleotio^and^consultation pointed to a new ex-

sets.

S«S!»”!?J5 ttet36,»or™»toS »f°tMso sooijti9! »ne£«»-

ff^jaraass.'sssav
Zizs'sx&xxn san -*S E

great work it had in hand by naming the ablest representatives^
i°tioseSo! ?hITenawh°onw;re tfpaSriotically

sire^men^o^expert^iaiowledce^ninated^hy a spirit of^the^best

• Americanism, 'fheir acceptance and the voluntary p ai^^ y^^

I6wi s^to^ehpres^the^1 gratitude6 of^theAmerioan^people^for^the

readiness with which every one of the 36* .. coiors.

s oc i °gi ven^a^ew^i si o n^ ° ^Your^uns el-'? S

fish^and^inyalu^l^aid* inatheeianG6^t“^^t|^°|^®n^®0ll|Q^_

iSal^belliat6! ^ve^^P^egp^iocgte

defense , nov; that each member of

«. ... w - “• “ “ ”rri"r “ tM :;r

I welcane yob Into th» — •'

_ viva thihgfi-tha^ its before

tad*, end gives ■»» *h* e*a“t” . '

„s. The nc naval MU. to -Mob your organisation gav.
assistance , -will once-re neaton. «— pn.atig.

In the great problem to be solved, naval «P"

civilian export. -iH «■* «•“ ^ *“ ~

search and ,U -♦*' 1 “ “ °’“"1St -”1 “ „ ”

your enlistment .ill -re than *“ ®“*“* ”

. „r the glorious future of our »..y and pur country.

Hatol Consulting Board

Sept. 22, 1916.

Pear Sir:

Capt. William Strother Smith, U.S.H., haB promised to write a
letter for the benefit of the Board in which he will give us full particulars
as to the manner in which our expense accounts are to be prepared, the items
that may be included, etc. As Boon as this letter is received at this
office a copy will be sent to each member of the Board, who will then
forward his expense aocounl/tp^thi^off ice , from which it will be sent to
the Wavy Department. ^i^^t‘:pj£^^|inaer8tood that the appropriation
oannot be applied to anj |xpenseB inTogrrjea prior to August 29th, the day on
whioh the Appropriation 'Bill , was signed,

Eaoh member will also Woe ive a rubber stamp bearing the words
"Official business, penalty for private use, $300.)

As the fulleBt aocount of Tuesday's meeting appeared in the Hew
York Times of Sept. 20th, the page from that paper is sent you under separate
oover •

YourB very truly,

THOMAS ROBINS

Secretary,

EAYAI COHSUIiTMG BOARD.

y

\RY OF THE. ifAVY,

y

Z/se pt^ej

'T Jf /AjK

My dear I^r. Edison: <V A

V/e were talking the other <&& about,, whet her lU
longing to the War Department or some other department of^the^
Government could be obtained without Congressional action. N
I took the matter up with the Solicitor of the Navy Depa:
ment and he sent me a memorandum, copy herewith enclosed. ^ ■

I think we could get this land if the President and the Secre-^'^
tary of War approved of it; if not. I could have a talk wit^J>
the President about it and we could make or find a way
secure it. My theory is that if there is an obstacle,
must get around it.

Tell Mrs. Edison that we expect you and her to comt
this winter and take a trip with us down the Potomac.

Sincerely yours.

%

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Orange , N . J .

(Dictated but not read by Mr. Daniels just before his de¬
parture for the West.)

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

NAVY DEPARTMENT S/n/P

Office of the Solicitor.

September 21, 1916.

MEMORANDUM.

Should the President authorize the use of land under the
control of the War Department for the Naval Experimental and
Research Laboratory which he has, without doubt, authority to
do, as advised the day before yesterday, it is recommended that
no executive order be issued transferring such land from the
War Department to the control of the Secretary of the Navy, as
the Attorney General holds that the President is without au¬
thority to transfer the control of land owned by the Government
from the control of one Department to that of another.

The occupation by the Naval Experimental and Research
Laboratory of • a site within a military reservation would be,
as expressed by the Attorney General, "at the sufference
only" of the War Department and action by Congress would be
necessary to the permanent transfer of the land to the Navy
Department.

(Signed) Pickens Neagle,

Acting Solicitor.

Ne witold T. Lawrence

JBeal estate

1 WILLIAM STREET

Uv^tw gek a. 4urt-M»>j H/yf-k «£—

Ne W YQWTf. Sept. . 23, . 1916,

Thos. A. Edison, Esq., |

\ Chairman of the Naval Advisory Board, „

j Orange, IT. J. ’

/Dear Sir; v f&-

About a year ago I sent you a letter in
reference to a site on Staten Island for the ex¬
perimental laboratory of the Naval Advisory Board.

I enclose a copy of my letter of that date, also
another blue print of the property, colored red.

The property belongs to Thos. Williams, Esq. , 25th
Street and 11th Avenue, New York City.

I also desire to call your attention to^.
a plot on the East Hiver, right at the entrance to
Long Island Sound. I refer to Old perry Point, or
Zerega Point, Block 20, Lot 1, on the New York City
Tax Map. This property contains 86 acres of upland
and 28 acres of salt marsh, making a total of 114
acres. There is a large stone residence on the proper
ty, rebuilt about ten years ago, with the usual out¬
buildings. The property belongs to the Estate of
Augustus Zerega, is free and clear of mortgage, and
is offered for sale. A proposition would be con¬
sidered. I enclose a diagram of the property. There
is a small plot of five and one-half acres in the S.Xf.
corner of the property which belongs to another estate

and can probably be bought.

/■

h

NeWBOLD T. JjAWHENOE

aHcal (Estate

H-l WILLIAM 8TI1KET

NEW YORK.- . 88t

Should you be interested in either of the
two sites suggested. X should be glad to meet you
in reference to same.

Very truly yours,

1

O'"- J/rwudrb jJ/\Maa~C-#^1(L dn A*dr-
/^cOAaalM iahM WftwXid j vdiil# ^ ^A.(brtrtsf- frvut. s<Juis> dn

JmWuMi M£ sjmJLjm m muj ’ Jsd.

W MUMiy mvJU Jk- d ^njf. svxlu*. . Wdu,

~\jL> /ywwjL^W dw ^ . AArCyta/L^ daJd JbxA ? dj^nzcdu.

/yyjLCtAV) CjndA- Jd ^ /tyuMdddif a™/

Jt/ttoU d LJHaM. JU- StKidiL tff Mvi. SVtnff sVUU^J/.

.• 1/MAdd*f,d&v> m <d td d a^n. .

(,Wt.

.a^nu*-

September. 50th. 1916

25r. A. C. Polhamns;

624 East Lewis Street,

Fort bayno, Ind.

Dear Sir:

Your favor of tho 2£>th instant has
been received. Your, suggestion is not at all
bad. I suggest that you keep up thinking on
the subject and you may strike the right thing.
, Yours very truly, '

September 26th.l916*

Hr. Hewbold. '£• Lawrence,

' 84 i.illiam Street,

Hew York City.

Dear Sir:

■ Your favor of the 23ra instant has boon
’receives, together with blue prints and diagram
of property suggested for location of the iiavel Ex¬
perimental laboratory.

- -If you will kindly set prices on these twe

pieces, of property, we may look oyer the sites when
we are looking for property upon which to build the
Laboratory.

Yours very truly, .

tfATOl. (’OXSllTDiJi BOAISB

s #

OF THU FATTED STATES

OFFICE OF TIIU SECRETARY

in Park Row, NuwYohk

Sept. 29, 1916.

Messrs. Thomas A. Edison,
Lawrenoe Adaioks,
1. E. Baekeland,
Frank J. Sprague,
W. R. Whitney.

Bear Sirs;

I enBlose herewith list of the proposed sites for the
laboratory, together with a typewritten form for each giving suoh
definite information aB X have reoeived. As I have bound these
sheets into the form of a book, eaoh member may if desired use them
to make notes upon the various sites.

Very truly yours,

THOMAS ROBINS

Secretary,

NAVAL CONSULT INS BOARD.

taL CwrSUUTlNCr BOARD

or TI1K UNITED STATES

tv

,0

HUDSON MiVXIM

landing, New Jersey,
October 2, .1916.

J-

My dear Mr. Edison:

I enclose you copy of a letter received
from Doctor Cyrus Townsend Brady regarding the location of
the laboratory of the Naval Consulting Boatd, and recommend¬
ing Annapolis.

I also enclose you copy of my answer to Doctor Brady.

^Faithfully yours, ^

Thomas A. Edison, Esq. ,
Orange, Hew Jersey.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

G

on

THE HEMLOCKS
22 Edgecliff Terrace
Park Hill *
Yonkeam, IT. Y.

Sept. 25, 1916.

Mr. Hudson Maxim,

Pear Mr. Maxim:

There is a jnovement to locate the experiment
station and research library for the Navy, for the establish¬
ment of Y/hich Congress made recently an appropriation of a
million and a half, at or near the U. S. Naval Academy at
Annapolis, Maryland, where there is already an experiment sta¬
tion on a modest scale and where I am persuaded there are faci¬
lities for- carrying on this work which are not apt to be found
elsewhere. The nearness of the site to Washington, its defensi-
bility, the buildings and grounds already available, its use¬
fulness in connection with the Naval Academy, its value in the
training of officers and midshipmen stationed there, are all
apparent. I hope before your vote is given on this important
matter you will carefully consider Annapolis.

I suppose, of course, you know that the great BATTLE
CRY OE PEACH, in which you were interested, is to be followed
presently by THE BATTLE CRY OP WAR in which I am interested.

Yours very sincerely,

(Signed) Cyrus Townsend Brady.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Landing, New Jersey,
October 3, 1916.

My dear Dootor Brady J

Your letter of the 35th ultimo ia received, and I
appreciate the interest you are taking in the matter of the looation of
the laboratory of the Naval Consulting Board. I will btfing your let¬
ter to the attention of the Board.

I am not one of the oommittee appointed for the looation of
the site, but doubtless at the proper time several siteB will be submitted
by the Committee to the entire Board for consideration and ohoioe.

There are so many needs to be taken into oonsideration in the
ohoioe of a site that I trust you will not be impatient with me if I do
not immediately approve of Annapolis.

Most of the members of the Naval Consulting Board live either in

the vicinity of New York or in such other proximate parts of the oountry
as to make some spot near New York preeminently preferable, unless some

other site not too far from New York may prove to have such exceptional
advantages as to out-weigh the big advantage of availability which New
York has.

While the members of the Board may be endowed with so muoh
patriotism as to believe that .they would be willing to devote the same

time and attention to their work in a laboratory looated at Annapolis
as they would if it were looated near New York, still, when the time
comes, they will find their home and business ties strong, and that con¬
venience and oomfort make a loud appeal.

The private businesses of most of the members, even without the
added duties imposed by their position on the Naval Consulting Board, are
already so strenuous and exacting as to take their whole strength and to
occupy their waking hours end even intrude on sleep. Therefore, I con¬
ceive the convenience of get-at-ableness for the members of the Board to

be the ohief desideratum. _ . .. .

Regardlese of all that has been said in the press about the de-

,urtUlW of loontlns U»«w “I= fI“

10 of «, I Oo not tnin* too*

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

weight. This country at the present time is as vulnerable as a Jelly¬
fish, and there is no spot in it which would oause any of the great
military powers muoh inoonvenienoe to reaoh. Chicago, St. Louis,
Cinoinnati are essentially as unprotected and as unsafe as any of our
coast towns, if war should find us unprepared. Those oities would, in
the event of invasion, share their portion 6f the blast and the burden,
and would bleed with Boston and San Franoisoo.

This oountry must have a navy adequate to its needs, and its
needs are absolute seourity for the lives and property of its citizens
in every part of it.

The appointment of the Naval Consulting Board was a measure
for national defense. The work of the Board will be to help prepare
the oountry to proteot itself, and the main use of the laboratory will
therefore be to make the nation strong where it is now weak by the em¬
ployment of new inventions and devices for the equipment of the oountry
against war, and in the organisation find standardization of the nation's
industries for quick mobilization for efficient duty in the event of
war. Therefore, anything which will tend to lessen the amount of suoh
work on the part of the Board will prove a far greater disadvantage
than the disadvantage of being looated at any point on the Atlantio
seaboard now unprotected against attaok.

The laboratory will not at any time be likely to have muoh in
it whioh would oripple the oountry if destroyed or which might serve

the enemy very greatly if captured, because whatever the laboratory
may turn out will likely be duplicated and utilized, and in the event

of war being deolared against us whatever there might be in the labors
tory could quickly be removed, and anything that could not be removed
could be destroyed without bery great sacrifice.

It seems to me that if one were to sit down with a pair of
oompaeses and draw a circle around New York a hundred miles in radius,
he would surely include an area within whioh the laboratory should
certainly be located. The laboratory should be looated on some body
-2-

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

of water deep enough and broad enough for neoeeeary experiments with
submarines, even ae large ones as are now contemplated, and there
Should be sea room enough for racing and maneuvering with high-speed
motor boats. Also, there ehould be a suitable gun-range for testing
guns of moderate oaliber.

The site should, furthermore, include a sufficiently large
land area, besides water area, for practice flights and experiments
in reconnaissance and attack with aeroplanes.

I appreciate fully the advantages of being located near some
Navy Yard, and also the advantages of Annapolis as a location if it
were net for the fact that it is so distant and difficult of access.

Some place near Washington would enable the members of the

s r.

necessity be pu.b.d »«» «■ «” *“ “"ey' *“

laboratory ebonld be located nitb a vie. to .soaring .be gx.ste.t
.meant of tbe initiative and energy of the ne.b.rs of the Bo«d, “d
that plane shonld not. for that rea.on, be eo far aw «

Tbe DBmbere of the. Board .ill in any event be infrequent
touob with »aval offioer. and'.lll be able to benefit fro. tbeir
great ao.l.dge and experle.ea Adeeming tb, require.ent. of tbe
eervioe and regarding tn. pr.otlbability of tbe devioe. and inv.n-
tions upon which the Board will be working.

There is also another very great advantage of proximity to
He. Yo.b .bion «u.t be tabs. into aob.nnt. *rail.bUit»

of tb. eonroe of enpply for evary.bing .bi.b tb. laboratory .ill ra-

quire both in men and equipment.

, remember dnnapell. very ..11- I need to go don. there to
teet Maxim gua. .ban tb. Mvl Moving G»n«d .a. iocat.d tbare.
fouad it a plaea of vary inoor.vanl.nt aooeaa.

lastly, it seems ta me that it »nld ba a dleadvantag.
tb. laboratory to bo loo.t.d in tba vloinlty of *e.bl»gt.» - — —

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

of politicians . The work of the Naval Consulting Board must be
pure of politios, or itB work will not be pure. The praotioal
politician (add praotioal means much when applied to politios) is
a nemesis of evil eye and slanderous tongue that defames xkish
what it mentions and blights whatever noble thing it lookB upon.

Yes, I have learned that The Battle Cry of Peaoe is to
be followed by a great motion picture. The Battle Cry of Vfar, of
which you are the author. I understand, also, that it is a very
great piece of work. You deserve big credit.

Always faithfully yours,

(Signed) Hudson Maxim

Dr. Cyrus TownBend Brady,

Yonkers, N. Y.

TTOS

October 4, 1916.

10 SHE COiaim'iiE Oil SUES :• . , . -

’ ' I. have personally examined '

both sides of tho Hudson up as far1 as Tarrytown, and
find nothing suitable for the laboratory. On 'account
of the Ice, I -did not go beyond Tarrytown.

I have also examinod Governors island.

Ehero is plenty of space here and it is a vox-y desir¬
able location for only one thing and that is the Quick¬
ness of obtaining supplies which is imperative and of
enormous' advantage to a laboratory, there tho nature
of the work constantly changes and the materials re¬
quired arc of such a diverse" charac ter. On the other
hand, experiments with the thro o most important de¬
vices needed by the liavy would -be hampered and .almost
impossible at Governors island, to wit, heavy Hydro¬
planes -. Submarines and the various dovicos for obtain¬
ing information on land from points far out to sea.

• V .She Harbor is very .crowded with boats, and

real sea conditions cannot ho had nor aro there any -
facilities for experimenting With information dovicos.

Governors Island doos not seem to, be utilised
by the Government. The Port , is of no value; the acre¬
age is 204-1/2; and the water is 3b feet at the dock.

I have also 'visited fort Vladsworth. the
acreage here is 226; the water on about half the front¬
age is 44 feet deep within. fifty-feet of the shore. -
the water shoals rapidly , on oi-storly half .

. Ihoro would be ample room hero at the eastern
end and on the high hill, but it would' be somewhat un¬
handy and has the samo objections as the KuAbou and Gov¬
ernors Island Sites.- ' ,

I 'have- also visited Atlantic Highland region
and .Sandy Hook.

All the conditions roquirod wo find at tho
Hook - rough and quiot watoie on tho two sidos, twonty-
foot or.moio at tho old Railroad Hock whero stoamors
for J{ew, York departed - now abandonod. Tho Govornmont

Pago flo. 2 — So tho Committee on Sites.

has a Railway running full length of tho Hook.' only
the oxtroma ond is occupied by Port and Proving Ground.
There are 1300 acres and the laboratory could easily
got 100 to 150 acres and have tho uso of much moro for
special experiments, - this being tho best. part, ana
without disturbing anything now in uso or contemplated.
ShQ-0 are' covoral villages near, with two street car
linos and the How Jorsey Central, thero would bo ample
housing capacity for the employees.

Should this place/ be decided upon, I would
suggest wo obtain about ono-h'nif .acre on tho apex of
" the IJavos ink Mountain for experiments with procuring
far-tosca information. This would be an ideal spot'
for such experiments, as night and day there are so
many largo ships .approaching this point. There is
ample room for smooth and rough water experiments with
Hjyd^'Ojr^lanos^aj^^ubmarinas , without much interference.

X noticed at one or two placed, gravel which
could bo crushed' and graded sice of sand for concrote
work.

iiith a small and fast motor boat, trips to
Hew York can be made to. and from in one hour. The
Hew Jersey Central's time is Railroad to nave Dime, two
hours, Hoot to Atlantic .Highlands and train to iiavesink
one -hour and thirty-minutes.

I. would recommend the Committee to visit Ft.
V.adsv.orth and to make a rather more "extended investiga¬
tion of Sandy Hook.

X do not toko seriously the cry about putting
the laboratory at some spot not reached by tho cnemys
guns. This argumont is good for a munitions factory,
but the. laboratory is suite diffor'ont. Wo should not
sacrifice idoalsd conditions for obtaining ouiclt and prac¬
tical results for some futuro contingency which may not
occur for years.

' In caso the laboratory was destroyed, t ben it

would become greater than ever for tho. aon could bo
moved and every maohino and othor shop in the Country
would and could bo utilisod. ,

I am oollocting more data in regard to Sandy Hook,
and will forward it lator.

Yours truly,

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

/ckcof t* 7'//-v l ?

•dyv

y&Crx^t'U

ft

/ o '

Naval CrasiJiaiire Boarb a -Ksrr /

OF TIIU UNITED STATES

OFl'ICK OF THIS SECH1STAH

13 Park. Row, NkwYoiik

Hr. Thomas A- Edison,

Orange , II . J <

Dear Sir:

I auly received your very full ana interesting report
ooncerning Sandy Hook as a possible location for the Naval laboratory.

I have made full copies of your report ana have sent them to all the
members of the oommittee.

Kessrs. Addicks, Sprague, Baekeland, Whitney and myBelf
visited the Philadelphia Navy Yard ana the Naval Experiment Station' at
Annapolis, ana the report of this trip 1b now being prepared ana will
be sent you within a few days.

I note that your investigation of Hudson River sites did not
go north of Tarrytown on aooount of the possibilities of navigation
being impeded by ioe. I therefore think you will be interested to
hear that regular shipments by water are made by the Rockland lake
quarries, which are some ten miles north of Tarrytown ana within a mile
of Groton Point, whioh haB been aiggestea as a possible site. X have
askea the owners of the Croton Point property to send you full
information concerning it, ana to repeat to you in. writing their
statement concerning the Rockland lake shipments, which they state have

ty i«. •« »y m- «"“« «“

A

Secretary,
HAVA! CONSULTING BOARD

Copy for Mr. Edison.

Subject: Laboratory Sit

/ Yonkers, N. T., ®Ot. 13, 1916,

n » _ Woe* Y'S-®'

1 “• L<^ k.

Mr. Thomas Robins, ^j^Jt Va ^

13 Park Row! 5* *>» ^ W, <UCT^?,

Hew iorM City. V4** <r

DearCMr. Robins:- ^r*OL

After reading totb°banka

SSSfeS.’SS'jSi®^!

“S-f^gasaliseiis^

I e. «»i#r &e^W^W^f^“^^?dolSt«tee *»° "«eM eg* /

OToS,ssi^^

.S£,’S£«U ”S‘«P»e “iS Se« u«ll. .«»?«! ■» 1 o J„

ditto? » w^SJ^PeeW^LT

3afs^- “ =S ?Ssf aife |«H ?

3SS ss's £“-2 » W*! >

£3®, SkS|sS& r

- - - very truly yours, ^ ^

LHB/ME. (Signed) L. H. Baekeland, jf

r>T*%n

Mr. Edisc

to mo, but I think wo ought to do something to determine
the probable work of the laboratory, and that we ought
also to visit the 7,'ashington and Sandy Hook sites, before
m8king n decision.

Captain Kberle was probably right when he said
that if the laboratory was to be a large manufooturing
plant, Annapolis was not the place for it, while if it
was to be a plnoe for research into the or obi erne of the
Uavy, he thought Annapolis wbb the right looation. This
ia my feeling today, but the main point is to determine
about what work will be undertaken and continued in the
laboratory. It is almost impossible for mo to be un¬
prejudiced in trying to learn the best typo of laboratory.
I was carried away by the words of Hr. Edison and by Mb

brood viow, but X keop Rotting book to the idea that
the building of o submarine was an unfortunate illus-
trntion of the typo of work to be done. Thie exper¬
iment is probably under way in our ship-building navy
yards, and ought to proceed faBter there then it would
be likely to os a port of the wo rk. of o laboratory
built for a million dollars. The problems which hove
been suggested to us, including those of Admirr.1 Mel¬
ville, ought to indicate the desired field of work, and
these make me favor Annapolis. I cm impressed with the
importance of dose connection between the present Havel
engineering laboratory ana the Haval Academy post-graduate
work .

iJhile the admirals who supplied us with prob¬
lems ought to know more about their needs and the appli¬
cability of the laboratory to them than we civilians,
still we do not need to hesitate to propose « new plans
exceeding their modest hopes, if we see how onoh plans
can be made good- This. I assume, is lir. Edison's view.

Admiral Melville had the needs of the H»vy
hotter outlined in 1903 than they have been outlined
slnoe, and the plan he proposed, of putting the exper¬
imental laboratory at Annapolis, was carried out. That

3

plan. If it hnd been properly booked financially ,
would have put our Kavy where it wsnto to be. In
other wordc, the present experiment station. is the
outcome of our government's ntteropt to solve the same
problems we arc now working on. X believe the lib¬
eral enlargement of that work conforms most nearly to
what the Envy wonts- The problems Seoretery Ticniolo
lately proposed ere of the norae type us those origi¬
nally suggested by “lielville , and vould mostly fit the
laboratory at Annapolis if it were enlarged.

V/hcn I learned that only about 320,000. c
year is devotFOui^jbecf.rcb work at Annapolis, I was
ecrprised/V^lj,‘i!.i3^t.^ W exceedingly able presentation
of the nde&jCfr S££vV*Uw Wnd the building of the plunt
at Annapo|l^i'^hr.tl^^6ljlogethor 57CO,COO.), only J-20.00C.
a year is now^ expend^; we certainly make a mistake in
storting an entirely* separate line of work with only one
million dollorp appro priut ion. It would bo fnr bettor
to add to the good, but poorly supported start elrenay
made at Annapolis. This is espeoiolly true when we see
that more lend is available there and that the character
of the men already interested is first-olaBS.

Yours very truly,

(Sgd.) W.R. WHITHEY

WRY/:C
T. A. Edison
I. Addioks
L.H. Baekeland
T. Robins

IffATOL COJi’SWLTMG BOARD

or TI1E UNITED STATES

n

• fa

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, «. J.

Dear Sir

I hand you herewith draft of proposed RuIob and
Regulations for the United StateB Naval Consulting Board,
prepared hy speolal committee, of whioh I am Chairman.

These Rules and Regulations will oome up for
consideration at the next meeting of the Board and are
sent you in advanoe for your consideration.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

PROPOSED RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE UNITED STATES
NAVAL "CONSULTING BOARD, DRAFTED BY SPECIAL COMMITTEE,

Preamble:

The Naval Consulting Board was formed In 1915 by the

Secretary of the Navy by the appointment of Mr. Thomae A. Edison as Its
head, one personal nominee by Mr, Edison, and two delegates selected from
and representing each of the following named teohnioal sooietleB:

American Chemioal Society,

Amerloan Institute of Eleotrloal Engineers
Amerioan Mathematical Society
Amerloan Sooiety of Civil Engineers
Amerioan Aeronautical Sooiety
Inventors Guild

Amerioan Sooiety of Automobile Engineers
Amerioan Institute of Mining Engineers
Amerioan Eleotro-Chemioal Sooiety
Amerioan Sooiety of Meohanioal Engineers
Amerioan Sooiety of Aeronaut io Engineers, and

In an Aot of Congress passed in 1916 this Board was

legalized.

The Board has adopted the following set of rules and
regulations for its oontlnuanoe and government, subject to the approval
of the Secretary of the Navy.

I. NAME.

The name of this Board shall be "The United States Naval
Consulting Board".

II. PURPOSE.

The purpose of this Board shall be to assist the United
States Navy Department in any manner that it may, by supplying teohnioal
advioe when oalled upon by any Bureau or Board of the Department or¬
ganized by law, or appointed by the Seoretary of the Navy, and to bring
to the attention of the Navy Department through the proper ohannels

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

suoh technical. matters as it oonsiders may have value to the Naval
Servioe, with suggestions and recommendations relating thereto.

HI. MEMBERSHIP.

1, The term of servioe of the members of this Board shall be
for a period of four years, end until their successors are appointed.

S. The members, with the exception of Mr. Thomas A. Edison
and one personal nominee by him, shall be nominated two from eaoh of the
above named Societies by ballot of these Societies or their governing
bodies. The names of persons so nominated shall be submitted to the

Secretary of the Navy for his spproval and appointment before they oan be
constituted members of the Board.

3. Those members appointed prior to January 1, 1917, shall

by lot in the month of Maroh, 1917, divide themselves into four groups;
that is to say, 35# to serve for one year from that date, 35# to serve
for two years, 35# to serve for three years, and the balanoe to serve
for four years, but the term of office of the two members from any one
Society shall not expire in the same year. This provision shall not

apply to Mr. Thomas A. Edison, nor his personal nominee.

4. All members appointed after January 1st, 1917, except
those appointed to fill vacancies due to the retirement of a member,
shall serve for a period of four years.

5. If any member retires from the Board for any reason,
the Society which delegated him shall nominate his successor to fill
the unexpired term, vho upon the approval of and appointment by the
Secretary of the Navy, shall beoone a member of the Board.

IV. OFFICERS.

1. The officers of the Board shall be:

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Thomas A. Edison, Permanent President
A Vioe-President
A Chairman of the Board
A Seoretary of the Board.

The three latter shall he eleoted annually by written ballot
by the Board from among its members at Itb Annual Meeting , whioh diall
take plaoe in March. Due notioe of suoh eleotion shall be sent to

eaoh member of the Board at least ten days in advanoe of suoh Annual
Meeting.

8. The terms of offioe of the Vice President, Chairman and
Seoretary shall be for one year.

V. MEETINGS.

1. Regular meetings of the Beard shall be held at intervals
of one month, exoeptlng that there shall be no regular meetings during
the months of July and August, and speoial meetings shall be oalled by
the Seoretary of the Board, with at least five days notioe, upon request
of the Seoretary of the Navy or the President or the Vioe-President or the
Chairman or any five members of the Board} the time, date ad plaoe of the
meeting to be arranged by the Seoretary of the Board in oonferenoe with
those offloers or members at whose request the Seoretary oalled the meeting.

3. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board,

, and in the event of his absenoe, the Vioe President, if present; other¬
wise any member of the Board may be ohosen as Chairman pro-tem by a
majority of those present.

3. A quorum shall consist of ten members.

4. A member absent from a meeting may reoord a vote, aye
or nay, by mail or telegram, but only for or against a resolution whioh
shall have been referred to him by mail five days in advanoe of the
meeting.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

VI. COMMITTEES.

1. The membership of this Board shall sub-divide itself
into permanent technical committees on the following suhjeots:

Aeronautics, including aero motors.

Aids to navigation.

Chemistry and Physios,

Electricity,

Food and Sanitation,

Fuel and Fuel Handling,

Internal Combustion Motors,

Life Saving Applianoes,

Mines and Torpedoes,

SSToS* Manufacture and Standardltatlon,
Publio Works, Yards and Books,

IMlSSS-una 8hlp propulaion.

Submarines,

Tran sport at ion,

wireless and Communications.

3. Special or temporary oomnittees may be appointed from
time to time by the Chairman of the Board unless the Board elects to

name suoh 0001111111150® by ballot*

3, The Chairman of any committee may request the co¬
operation of any individual or individuals not members of the Board at

any meeting or meetings for conference.

4. Any permanent Technical Committee desiring the ex-
tended oo-op.r.tlon of p.r.one other then permanent ...her. of the
Boerd, »y upon the approval of the Board no.ln.te euoh p.r.on. to
the S.or.tary of the ■«! for appoint. ont a. h.eoolate M«hero.

,h. length of eervloe of an A.eoolat. Me.h.r he optional olth

the committee to which his service is rsndered.

VII. FUNCTIONS.

1. All matters submitted to the Board by the Secretary
of th. Davy ahall he oo-unloated to all the ..*era by the 8oo.et.ry
0, th. Board, .ho .hall for^rd th. r.pllo. to th. approprlat.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

committees, to be collated by them and reported to the full Board with
recommendations for its aotion thereon.

3. The Board in addition to the consideration of such matters
as maynbe referred to it by the Navy Department or any of its Bureaus or
Boards, may of its own initiative, or through the initiative of any of its
oommitteee, take up any matter whioh it or such committee may deem ad¬
visable and in the interests of the Naval Service, formulate reports
thereon and submit same through the proper channels to the Navy De¬
partment for its consideration, but no expenditure in conneotion with
such investigation shall be made except with the approval of the Board
and the authorization of the Secretary of the Navy.

VIII. RECORDS.

X. The proceedings of this Board and of the committees of
the Board shall be recorded and be regarded as confidential, and no
part of the same shall be made public except by the authority of
the Board acting upon the recommendation of the Committee on Publicity.

3. The minutes of the meetings of the Board shall consist
only of actions taken by the Board and reports of committees, whioh
shall be submitted in writing and after action by the Board shall be
filed.

IX. AMENDMENTS.

No amendment to these Rules and Regulations shall be made
except in accordance with the following procedure:-

(a) Amendments to these Rules and Regulations may be
proposed at ** regular meeting, and shall be voted on at the next

regular meeting of the Board.

(b) The Secretary of the Board shall send to each

-5-

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

member a oopy of any proposed, amendment at least tiro weeks prior
to the meeting at whioh same is to be voted upon.

(o) It shall require a favorable two-thirde vote of the
members present at the meeting when eny amendment le voted upon, to
adopt same.

(d) Ho amendment shall be effective until it shall have
beenepproved by the Seoretary of the Navy.

October SO, 1916.

.Mr. Erank J. Sprague,

165 Broadway ,

Bow York, H.Y.

Dear Mr. Sprague:

Hr. Edison wants me to drop you a
line to say that ho wouia like to have a talk with
you before the site question comes up. He thinks
there is a liability of -there being a miscarriage
if, as -he ''expresses it, "we don't look out, and the
laboratory will die of dry rot".

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

ipart^Cen^"

W cy*

Ln Jj/ S. Smith, U-S^^

£r ^ s'

Naval Consulting Board. rvf* v~\ /

There id enclosed herewith a copy of a letter from the V^/
Secretary of/ the Navy authorizing me to act in connection <W
with the reimbursement to the members of the Board for thei \
actual expenses as provided in the bill.

With /he assistance of the bureau'll Supplies and Accounts
there has /been prepared memoranda and sample request for you
information. /

As Jll accounts are closely scrutinized ^y^eTreasury
Department, some claims may be returned to you for revision at
first.. \ /

NavalWficers are not allowed/to use long distance 'phone
or telegraph* except in case of eme/gency and where information
is actually needed in advance of/letter-

Arrangements, for stationery and office supplies had best
be made through tne-Sacre-tary of the Board.

The limit of §5-00 per day for subsistence is impnsed upon
eve ry^overnment official, the President of the United States
only being excepted-

« j?: is:

that all claims now existing should be transmitted to rae ‘C**

g made^ immediately ^af t e r&

the ex^enseis Incurred, or once at the end of each month.

Payment will ordinarily be made within three days from^-
receipt here- : _

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
New York City,
New York.

44 v“-*w ^

In Re:- Ejperimental and Research Laboratory.

Dear Sir:-

I note that yon are interested in looating a £ite for
the construction for the above laboratory. I have a plaoY located
at the south point of Daufuskie Island South Carolina which would y-eJOn\y
-he- to answer all the requirements you desire which I can offer you
for the site of this laboratory. The entire place contains five hun-
dres acres, about, and is located on the south east point of Dau—
fuskie Island in South Carolina which is eighteen miles from Savan¬
nah, Georgia down the Savannah River. It is four miles across the
sound from Tybee Island, Georgia.

This place has a frontage of about a half mile on Cal-
ibogue Sound and also a frontage on the river at the side. There
is deep water in the river up to the side of this plaoe. There is
a large old fashioned house in good condition on this point. Two
artersian wells. The Island is touched by two steamboat lines ply¬
ing between Savannah and Beaufort, S. 0. and Savannah and Bluff ton
S. C. There is no ice ever forms in this climate and in other re¬
spects the oharaoter of the looation seems to me to oomply with
your requirements. In the event the entire five hundred acres is
not desired, I will be willing to sell such portion as you would
desire and at a very reaaonable figure. Ifyou af®
the extent to desiring further informt4oirT£»d will advise me, i
shall be pleased to give you any informajidn in my power in ref-
erehoe to this location. Thanking ypuvfdr your consideration.

ess-ebr.

Ilovombor 14,1916.

llr, iidwafd S. Stoddard , '

. Savannah, Georgia. .

Dor^r Slr:-

I have rocoivod your favor of tho 9th
instant-, sugehstins the south point of Baufusl.lc
Island South Carolina, as a sito. for the .ilaval
laboratory. lot mo cay in roply that the Iiavnl
Consulting Board has dooidod that for many reasons
thia. laboratory should bo near lion York.

Yours vary truly;

tfimun? of jStprPBJntatiwja 11 S>.

fflasljiugtfltt, 0. (&.

Hon. Thomas A • Edison
llewellyn Park, H. Y.

November 10, 1916.

Hear Mr. Ellsoni-

“ *m «"• **

„.r »I>P°l»t.a .» tu ai..ri

of the House of Representatives, X am naturally verjy*^
much interested in anything relating to the improveme^
of Mew York Harbor.

Some time ago I took up with the Secretary
of the Navy the matter of locating the experimental and
research 1 ab or at oxy. authorised by the Naval Appropriation
Bill, at New York. Mr. DanielB wrote me advising that the
matter had been referred to you, but due to the preBBure
whioh I was under during the last days of the oampaign,

I have been unable to communicate with you before this.

The Merchants Association of New York and other
commercial bodies are deeply interested in this subject
and I should like very much to know if any action has been
taken by your Board.and further, whether you will give us
a hearing thereon.

Yours very truly.

* •x'yCjl OiCo

I

Hovciaber 14, 1916.

Eon. .-tori ay Hulber.t, li. C.,

Slat District/, Hot; York,

Washington, D. C.

3oor Hr.. Hulbert: -

lisplying. to your favor of tho
10th instant, lot rao eay that a Committoo of tho
Hsvai Consulting Board is looking for a oito for
the Haval laboratory. I am. vory ptrong for Sanay
Hook.

Yours vory truly,

Vaihl Consulting Board cy\

of xnK butted states

OFFICE OF THIS SECRETARY

X3PARRK0W, NbwYobk. jjovember 15, 1916.

Messrs.

Ehoraas A. Edison,
Lawrence Addicts,
1. H. Baekeland,
Prank 3. Sprague ,
W. R. Whitney.

De8r Sir8:with reference to the location of the Bevel laboratory, it has
been suggested that Admiral Usher and some of the other officers a
Havy Yard might be willing if revested to express their views as
certain sites that have been proposed. I *ave prefers with the
approval of the Chairman made an appointment for the committee to meet

Officers in the office of Admiral Usher at . on Monday the SOth

inst. It is hoped that yon will be able to attend this conference.

EBe writer has J.t received from Captain William Strother Smith
a letter in which he expresses the hope that the Consulting Board will be
able to submit its report on the laboratory site at an early date in order
that the Eavy Bepartment may be able to prepare legislation which will
insure an additional appropriation from the next session of ongre .
nrefore seems important that the committee ^ ^

to the Board at the earliest possible moment, and it is suggest
members hold a meeting on Monday afternoon after the session at tt>e B^y
yard in order that if possible they may reach a conclusion and draw up
report. Bo arrangements for luncheon will be made.

IfavsL €o^tswltmg Board

OF THE UNITED STATES

TiAWRENOM ADDfOKS

^ {

y\

y.

November 17th, 1916.

4 W .

XV

6*fVr

Thomas A. Edison, Esq-,

Chairman Naval Consulting Board,

Orange, N. J-,

Dear Mr. Edison:

I understand that we are expected to make an
early decision in the matter of the laboratory site.. If you
have not yet made your contemplated trip to Annapolis I want
to urgethat you withhold final judgement until you have seen
what they have there- I not only have in mind that you will
be surprised at what they have to show in the way of present
equipment but that if you do not go and another site should
then be selected the local people will be much offended and
we shall be criticized accordingly.

Annapolis is the only place where the locality
itself has shown any pergonal interest in getting this laboratory
and they have put up quite a little money in literature and enter¬
tainment. I know they are looking forward to your projected
visit and this causes me to write you this line.

Very truly yours.

(yUiy

MURRAY HULBERT

llovonibor 24,1910.

Hon. Murray Hulbort, U.C.,

Slot District, Hon York,

600 Dost 140th Stroot,
IIov; York, H.Y.

Donr Mr. Hulbort: .

lot no say in reply to -your favor
of the 20th instant, that tho Haval Consul tine Board
doos not oxpoct to hoia any rubllc ilootlnne in regard
to tho selection of a oito for the Havnl Laboratory.

Yours very truly'.

NO.

United States Navy Yard,

NEW YORK. N.Y.

Hovember 22, 1916.

My dear Fir. Edison:

At the suggestion of Mr. Hutch\
to give you. my opinion as to the poini
in the selection of “ “JJ“ J>‘“ J'1'“

I am writing

_ _ to he considered

site for the Naval Laboratory.

I think that the laboratory should be, in a way,
a connecting link between the Navy (which is the fleet
and its officers) and the manufacturing and scientific
talent of the country, which is represented by your
Board; our needs and troubles, which we have difficulty
in solving for ourselves, to be presented to the laboratory
which thereupon attempts the solution both by experiment
in the laboratory and by calling upon the members of the
Board for their technical opinions and suggestions.

If this be the purpose of the laboratory, it should
be in a location where its communication with both these
groups would be most convenient and expeditious.

Both the Navy Department and Naval Academy are apart
from the fleet, their functions being quite different from
the solution of problems of materiel. The technical Bureaus
of the Department do, in a way, have to do with the solution
of materiel questions but only through the medium of corre¬
spondence and are never in actual touch with the work, ihe
Navy Yards, on the contrary, are in actual physical touch
with the fleet and its officers and the troubles and needs
of the fleet are brought to the yards. It would seem there¬
fore that the laboratory should be as near as possible to a
large yard where all classes of ships come frequently so
that the laboratory force may see by direct examination of
materiel and conversation with the officers all the points
of the problems to be considered.

The New York yard receives and repairs all classes of
ships, especially the latest ships, and there are always ships
of all classes at this yard. It has the largest force of offi¬
cers on duty there and the largest and most complete equipment
of shops and tools of any yard. It has for a long time received
and tested all eleotrical equipment purchased for the Navy and
plans and develops much of the new appliances installed on
ships, notably in radio installations. It has by far the
largest force of workmen, many of whom are trained along

definite lines of naval work, and the services of these

min can he calls! upon, if the laboratory is near the yard,

either for work in the yard shops or in the laboratory it
self, should occasion arise.

On the other hand, the members of the Consulting
Board are mostly in or around Hew York and this neighborhood
is full of manufacturing concerns of ®Jerir ^tn^ ^latch ean
he and frequently are called upon by the yard for consults,
tion in regard to the needs of the ships. Even a business
concern that has its works at a distance penally maintains
an agency in Hew York from which can be obtained all needed
information.

The stock of material maintained in Hew York is
probably greater than in any other place in the country so
that the laboratory, if located here, is in bhe closest
proximity to the fleet, its officers, the Board,

the engineering interests of the country, and the supply of
engineering materials.

The Haval Academy is not in any way similar to the
laboratory. It takes boys and gives them a foundation of
scientific knowledge upon vAiieh they may become officers of
ability after they have had sufficient experience with the
fleet Its purpose and atmosphere are academic rather than
practical, while the laboratory should be intensely Poetical.
Probably Schopenhauer could evolve a system J ^

as well or better when immured in the backwoods but it is not
so with the work of the laboratory, - that needs to be in the
aotive center of engineering progress.

The practical man does not usually write about the
things that he does and even if they do get into books, the
information is several years behind the times ' l^arv t^see4'
To really find out what is going on, it is necessary to see
and talk with the men who are doing things. When I have had
occasion to go to the technical libraries for help, I have
very seldom found it, the books were full of generalities
but nothing definite. They say that when a steam cylinder
is v/orn “barrel shaped it should he rehored, which I knew,
but as to how much it may be worn without the necessity of
reboring, the books are silent. The only way to know things
is to be among them, not to read about them.

For the above, and other reasons, it seems so obvious
to me that Hew York is the most favorable site for the labora¬
tory that I am impatient in talking about it or in listening
to the oratorical efforts of those who display more energy
and ability in talking than in thinking.

As to the location of the site in the vicinity of
Hew York, it must he easy of access to the laboratory
enrolovees, to the supply houses, and to the Havy Yard,
and, if possible, on land already owned by the Government
Fort Hamilton reservation seems to meet all these require
ments pretty well but there may be other objections to
this site that I am not acquainted with.

With great respect and regard, X am,
Sincerely yours ,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Edison laboratory.
Orange, H. J.

' UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY,
Annapolis, Maryland,

November 23, 1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange ,

Hew Jersey.

My dear MT. Edison:-

The enclosed is a report of tests made at the Engineering
Experiment Station, Annapolis, Md. , for the month of October.
1916.

I am forwarding a copy of this report in order that you
may obtain some idea of the amount and class of work now being
done at this plaoe.

I am very sorry that your visit to Annapolis was suoh a
short one, but even though short it was a great pleasure to
have had you, and I sinoerely trust that in the near future
we may have the pleasure of a visit from you which will be of
longer duration.

Yours truly.

Captain, U. S. Navy,
Superintendent .

IfATOL Consulting Board

Dear Sir :

A meeting of the Haval Consulting Board will he held
in the rooms of the American Institute of Mining Engineers, 29
V/est 39th Street, Hew York, on Saturday, December 9th at ten A.M.

At this meeting it is expected that reports will he
received from the Committee on Rules and from the Committee to
report on a site for the Haval laboratory and Experiment Station.

Please return the enclosed blank stating whether or
not you expect to attend this meeting.

Yours very truly,

THOMAS E05£®

Secretary,

eavai cohsultihg boaed.

' r . j'.t * —

Ur .Thome s A. Edison, #tfv

East Orange, II. J. /}

Dear Sir:

November 28th, 1916

I notice thru the newspapers that as Chairman of the
Kavy's Civilian Advisory Board, you are looking for a suit¬
able site for the proposed laboratory, and for that puipose
desire to call yorr attention to one of the most desirable
locations on the Delaware River.

It is known as the UeMally property, and comprises ap¬
proximately thirty- two (52) acres of tne finest river front
obtainable, in addition to which a large acreage adjoining
the property to the east is now obtainable at very reason-

ahle -.tuated between the Mew York and Pennsylvania

Ship Building Companies, but better located than < either as
the bulk-head line is within a -few feet o f the chann. 3l(which
is fortv (40) feet deep and one thousand (1000) feet ''idei-
This property has a hard gravel bottom, and your.'ill notice y
the enclosed map the Pennsylvania Railroad adjoins on the
south the ferry to Philadelphia onthenorthandtrolley
line from Philadelphia to suburban districts on the east,

With ^eeeDSaware"mvIr<;fn SStaSt of the Philadelphia
X the MOST DESIRABLE piece of property obtainable
for your purpVse .being dlrectl^pposite the new Pennsylvania,
f I o°Ur Railroad Terminals , where the B.& 0. .Pennsylvania
ana the City of Philadelphia have jointly oontractei to spend
Sal. 000, 000 within the next three yearsjand where ^f^the
moTi ere now working on the construction of thirteen of the

tor the some, pl.no of thtoh o.n ho oe.n In city lull,
Philadelphia, Pa. glad t0 have you communicate with Ur. John
P. Connolly, our City Solicitor , for any desired information with
regard to this property.

Uay X hope for your consideration,__andan eaily leply
in this matter? Yours very resjregtfully J

SR*EJB.

Ho. 4001/ T

December 2, 1916.

My dear Mr. Edison:

B-ssessss

use of D.C. for motor drive in shop equipment.

S. instructions have Just been

tools and equipment for talUiS “ll problbly be 600-ft.

gt the Philadelphia Hay Yard; each “fv^3PE°en turning to

- ?

have your permission to quote you to that effect.

3. With kind regards to Mr. Hutchinson, I remain,

Very respectfully.

Deo ember 2, 1916,

My dear Mr. Hutchison

During my conversation with MT. Edison
at the time of his recent visit to the Philadelphia Navy
Yard he mentioned to me a method of greatly intensifying the
sound of the flute or violin somewhat as follows:

£■'{-

The aaat was sound at the large end of a very
attenuated oone or megaphone mouthpiece. The smaller end
of this attenuated cone was in turn oonneoted with the smaller
end of another long, small. angled oone.

I am wondering whether it /would. hey possible
for you to get for me a sketoh and the asfify data on

this point. What I am aiming at is to he able to apply this
to the voice tube systems aboard ship and if possible to .
make the voice tube piping not larger than one inoh internal
diameter .

individual while speaking is oust omari U
greater than two or two and one-half inches in diojueter,
there does not appear to me to be any advantage gained in
making a mouthpiece greater than a two and one-half inoh
oirole .

If the experience of Mr. Edison oan be applied
to this question the problem then resolves itself to - what
inoluded angle iB- the suitable one to adopt to attach a two
and one-half inoh mouthpieoe to the one inoh voioe tube with
a corresponding expanding megaphone or mouthpiece at the
further end, i.e. - receiving end ef the tub*

Naval Constructor, U.S.N.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

—3 -k~KA-cdU* .\\w-uJ0

_£-j_ «Ufewj_-VUk I_&<L&&wja4rtr_

JEr. Stephen iiobineon, Jr.,

420 Stephon Girard Bldg.,
. Philadelphia, in.

Dear Sir:- - , •

lour favor of oho 29th ultimo hoc boon
brought the attention' of 'Hr. -Euicon, who ronuootc
mo to cap that 'on account of tho .email appropriation
voted by- Congress, tho floral Consulting Board will
bo oonrp&llod to looate the Laboratory on Govornnont
property.

Yours very truly,.. r

Aseietmt to flr . oidison.

K-12-H

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, O. C.

December 7, 1916.

Sir:

In response to your request of the
5th instant, file Ho. A-1492, the Hydrographic
Office has mailed to Mr. W. H. Meadoworoft a
typewritten copy of that part of the Hydro-
graphic Bulletin of May 13, 1914, relating to
Fessenden's Oscillation. A copy had. to he
given as the stock of printed Bulletins is
exhausted.

Caotain, U. S. Kavy,
Hydrographer .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

I*

HYDROGRAPHIC OFFICE,

WASHINGTON, D. C.

Copied from Hydrographic Bulletin, Ho. 1289. Published by the
Hydrographic Office, Havy Department, Wash. D.C. , May 13, 1914.

li-rom report of Captain J.H. Quinan, U.S.H.C. MIAMI, on Ice Patrol,
April 15 to May 1, 1914.

"Although there was no wind, there was a heavy westerly ground
swell caused by a previous blow, and when we reached the largest berg
we found by observation and distance run by log that we had drifted
eastward during the night 22 miles. We stopped near the largest berg
and by range finder and sextant computed it to be 450 feet long and
130 feet high. Although we had gotten within 150 yards of the
perpendicular face of this berg and obtained no echo from the steam
whistle. Prof. Fessenden and Mr. Blake, representatives of the Submarine
Signal Co., obtained satisfactory results with the submarine electric
oscillator placed 10 feet below surface, getting distinct echoes from
the berg at various distances, from one-half mile to 2 1-2 miles.

These echoes were not only heard through the receivers of the oscillator
in the wireless room, but v/ere plainly heard by the officers in the
wardroom and engine room storeroom below the water line. Sound is said
to travel at the rate of 4,400 feet per second under water. (Hote by
Hydrographic Office.- The Smithsonian Physical Tables, 5th revised
edition, do not agree with this datum. ) The distance of the ship, as
shown by the echoes with stop watch, corresponded with the distance
of the ship as determined by range finder. On account of the great
velocity of sound through water, it was our intention to try the
oscillator at a greater distance for even better results, but a thick
snow storm drove us in to shelter on the Banks again.

On the 26th, I allowed the vessel to drift with moderate northerly
wind.

On the morning of April 27, anchored in 31 fathoms of water with
75 fathoms of chain in order to make current observations. We found
the current to be tidal, but very weak, running HUE. in the forenoon
and SSW. in the afternoon. This data, however, was very unsatisfactory,
for when we determined the ship's position by observation we found
that we had drifted to the southward and westward about 53 miles in
36 hours. Prof. Fessenden also took advantage of the smooth sea to
further experiment with his oscillator in determining by echo the depth
of water; the result giving 36 fathoms, which seemed to me very close.
That evening a HUE. gale sprang up and continued all next day with fog,
rain, hail, and snow. "

If . .

la AVAL CtWSULTIEG BOARD
of the United States

Office of the Secretary,
13 Park Row , Mew York

Docember 7, 1916.

ill- . i’homas A. Edison,
Llewellyn Park,

Orange, 11. J.

ily dear air. Edison:

X am sending you herewith a report on the site of the
laboratory which Messrs. Baekeland, Sprague, Whitney, Addicks and
myself are ready to sign. We have all visited the sites at Ports
Hamilton and Wadsworth and in Jamaica Bay, and for reasons stated
in the report we are unanimous in favor of Annapolis. We trust
that the facts which have convinced us will also appeal to you as
convincing and that you will he disposed to sign this report.

I am sending you the original copy, and would ask you in
any case to kindly bring it with you to the meeting on Saturday
morning, at which by the way every member of J,he Board has
expressed his intention of being present.

With best wishes , I am.

\ <=*

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

PROPOSED REPORT
of

OOMMITTEE OH SITES

In arriving at a conclusion aa to which site on the
whole presents the greater advantagea under existing oonditiona
it is eaaential to consider, firBt, the funotlonB of the
laboratory and, second, the manner in which it must be
operated.

The original oonoeption was for a laboratory
costing $5,000,000, in whioh not only researoh work but
rapid heavy construction of all kinds could be oarried on;
but despite all efforts the total for construction and
operation was out to $1,500,000, of which only $1,000,000
has actually been authorized; and this at a tine of
increases of from 25 to 100 per cent in costs of labor and
materials.

Beaause of thiB great and regrettable reduction in
the appropriation and the seriouB limitations resulting
therefrom, it is vital that, to make the most of the available
funds, there should be no unnecessary duplication in the
laboratory of equipment and facilities which already exist
in other Government plants, and no avoidable expenditures
outside of buildings and equipment.

For instance, we must give up the idea of con¬
struction of large guns, or vessels of any type, or the
manufacture along commercial lines of large numbers of
any kind of equipment. All heavy work must be, and can

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page 3 -

better be built at other points, and only comparatively light
work based upon research and experiment should be carried on at
the laboratory.

As to the manner in which it should be operated,
the idea that the work should be more or less under the
direotion of Bureau Chiefs, individually or oolleotively, or
the members of the Naval Consulting Board, must be discarded,
for suoh would lead to a many-headed and inefficient organiza¬
tion.

Instead, the laboratory should be under a responsible
officer of high rank, to whom the various Bureau Chiefs should
turn over their problems, accompanied by all available
information. And so too with regard to problems which may oome
up before the Consulting Board.

It will undoubtedly be necessary to frequently
oall upon the Bureaus for advioe and information, but it will
not be ‘necessary for the Chiefs to visit the laboratory except
on rare oooasions. This faot, while making reasonable access
from Washington desirable, removes the necessity of the
laboratory being immediately under the shadow of the Navy
Department. Moreover, a large part of the work will consist
of purely soientifio researoh and experiment, which will
require a reasonable amount of isolation and freedom from
interference and oritioism.

With the foregoing general oonoepts, consideration
of various sites was taken up, with specific referenoe to a
number of characteristics, each more or less influential in
arriving at a decision.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page 3 -

Of the nearly fifty whioh have been formally
presented, on public and private lands, from New Hampshire
to Louisiana and all east of the Mississippi River, but few
oould be considered favorably; in any event, before investigating
privately owned lands, it was necessary to ascertain whether
there was available land dixeotly controlled by the Navy
Department, or transferable with more or less delay from the
War Department, whioh could meet the necessary requirements.

With these considerations in view, members of the
Committee have made a detailed investigation of a number of
localities in and about New York, and also of the League Island
Navy Yard at Philadelphia, the site of the present experimental
station at Annapolis and the Belleville Magazine site at
Washington.

Eaoh of the above places possesses a number of the
requirements whioh are deemed essential,- none of course
possesses them all.

CONCLUSIONS;

Careful consideration of the whole subject indicates
as the best selection the site on whioh the present experimental
station at Annapolis, now under the Bureau of Steam Engineering,
is situated; and that this station be removed from Bureau oontrol
and consolidated with the proposed Researoh Laboratory and
Experimental Station, under the direction of a naval offioer
distinguished by his scientific attainments and managerial
oapaoity, who should ordinarily report direotly, so far as is
practicable, to the Navy Department.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

The special characteristics noted are as follows:

(1) Location, ownership and available area.

Both of land and water.

Across the Severn, forming part of the
grounds under the general jurisdiction
of the Superintendent of the Naval
Acadeny; nearly 100 aores out of a
total of about 300, are available;
ample water front,

(2) Character of land and purchase cost.

Or the cost of changing contour?

No purchase cost and but low cost of
ohanging contour, even with extensive
building operations; land offers ex¬
cellent foundations.

(3) Water front, depth of water and proximity

Of Navigable Channel.

Ample frontage, with a fine masonry
dock already constructed, a 29 ft.
channel, and room within three miles
to anchor the entire Atlantic fleet.

(4) fi)iarant,flT of bottoms and stability of channel.

Easily dredged, if required, and with
practically no shifting changes in
ohannel.

(5) Amount of dredging if necessary,.

And likelihood of ice.

Depends upon how large a ship is desired
to bring close to the laboratory, but it
would seem that accessibility of a
dreadnaught to the dook is unnecessary;
there is but little ice formation.

(6) Range of tide and character of water,.

Whether fresh, brackish or salt..

Low tidal ohange, water dean and dear from
sewerage, and brackish.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

(7) General Climatic Oondltjona.

Good for all year work, and better in
suioner than Washington.

(8)

mia.Tftnt.gr ef neighborhood, considered from
'A residential standpoint.

In the main excellent, and near enough
to Washington for reasonable additional
Booial diversions.

(9) Character of Labor Market.

While not a manufacturing center, and
henoe not available for quickly changing
demands for meohanios, such would form
but a moderate proportion of the people
employed, many of whom would be civilian
scientists, naval officers and possibly
men from the enlisted forces who have
developed special aptitude.

About 100 men are already employed, some
of whom actually live in. Baltimore; but
it is a trite saying that labor follows
the market, and if there should be here
established a larger and more important
experimental station of the kind now
authorized employing, not spasmodically
and erratioally but steadily, skilled men,
many would, eventually malce Annapolis
their home. There would he lesB likeli¬
hood of labor union troubles than elsewhere.

(10)

Karket for materials,

Ordinary operation does not require a
hand-to-mouth condition calling for daily
dependence upon the jobbers of a great
oity. Of the manufacturing establish¬
ments throughout the country large numbers
are remotely situated from, and are inde¬
pendent of, New York, and there is no good
reason why with proper management the
proposed laboratory should not be well
enough stocked to be similarly independent .

Baltimore is within 50 minutes by trolley and
34 miles by water, and materials can be
delivered every day of the year.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Availability of <
and fagTirEleir

(13) Aooqj
well

The nearest government shops where
large work oln he done are at Washington,
Norfolk and Philadelphia, hut all are
available; and onoe it ,ne°28*hay *
have suoh work done outside of the
experimental station a few miles more or
less is a matter of small importance,

Moreover, the important Indian Head Proving
Grounds are within a comparatively short
distanoe.

for consultation.

Washington is within two hours by eleotrio
railwaf- and, in addition, the Governor of
Maryland states that there will be construct¬
ed within two years a 36 mile boulevard
direct to Washington, which oan be easily
covered by automobile within an hour.

From the Navy Department must issue all
original plaL of construction, and there,
too all records are available. In

telephonio oommunioation.

and records, as

aeaigagifflfe

(14)

In addition to those available lb
Washington, the steam and eleotrioal

ssaya arssss s

Experimental Laboratory are at hand.
employ ed7

Convenience to the members of the Bo®;rJ.
itself is not of first importance, as ■ they

iuiU ». wiwi “ «s«

[ATT AC HM ENT/EN CLOSU RE]

(15)

(16)

(17)

Baltimore are all available, in less time,
for example, than the residential part of
New York would he from Bandy Hook.

Sentiment of Naval Offioera.

The sentiment of most of those of wide
experience seems to he strongly in favor
of either Annapolis or Washington, while
some who have not seen Annapolis in a soore
of years prefer New York. Where a difference
of opinion does exist, it seems to largely
he founded upon the assumption that the
laboratory is to he an annex to the various
Bureau and largely under their direction,

„ which point of view seems incorrect.

Where a preference for New York has been
voiced, it has been invariably accompanied
by the opinion that the location should
be on the main- land, easily aooessible to
either Manhattan or Brooklyn. There is no
such land available.

Secrecy of Operation and Safety from Enemy assault.

Admirably situated to be free from ordinary
interference and unauthorized visits and
offers muoh easier supervision of employes.

It is reasonably free from enemy attacks
and easily defended if necessary by a fleet.

Oonoentration of Experimental Work and Research,

The present experimental station, in
operation for some years, represents a direct
investment of about a half million dollars,
and the existing facilities and equipment
could not now be duplicated for less than an
additional quarter of a million. About half .
a million dollars has been expended in
oarrying on important investigation and tests,
now requiring the work of 100 men.

This constitutes a good beginning, and if
there be now added to it such extensions
in buildings, equipment and operation as are
possible by the proper expenditure of the
million dollars now available and are in view,
as well as suoh as are ordinarily available
for the present station, there will be
established a dignified and effective e^uip-
ment, more impressive in results and oosting
less to operate than two separate experimental
stations of like total expenditure.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

In fact, a considerably more extensive
equipment oan be Insured by extending
the present station than by the oonstruo-
tion of an independent one,- it oan be
more quickly begun and put in operating
condition, and important experimental
work would not need to await the comple¬
tion of the whole.

Besides the provisional plans outlined
sometime ago by the Chairman other plans
showing how the present plant oan be
extended have been outlined, and as soon
as an agreement on general features is
arrived at work oan be instantly begun.

( 18 ) Congressional Support.

It is vitally important to avoid those
sectional influences which often times
interfere with Administration and
especially Congressional support,
instances of which are tpo numerous to
need speoifio mention. At Annapolis
as at Washington, the laboratory would
be on national territory and oan be
developed along national lines, in
oonneotion with an institution in whioh
every Member of Congress has an individual
interest, and whioh oan be more readily
visited by him than any other place under
consideration exoept Washington.

There are some additional important considerations
whioh must enter into any broad view of this matter, and whioh
should oarry weight if this laboratory is to be developed along
possible and desirable lines.

Annapolis is the Beat of the United States Naval
Academy, the prime source of the professional education of the
officers who are especially oonoerned. It shares with Washington
the individuality of national distinction. At the Academy itself
the Government has within recent years expended in superb
housing and educational buildings, and electrical and maohine
equipment, considerably over *10, 000, 000, and this is being

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

constantly augmented. In addition to the educational facilities
now extended to naval officers at Columbia, Harvard and elsewhere,
there is here established a Post Graduate course which It is
hoped may be extended so as to ultimately make less necessary
the utilizing of other University facilities.

The graduates of the Aoademy, all of whom must
in every way be trained in the praotioal as well t*e the
theoretical side of their profession, in laboratory and machine
shop as well as in the field or on the water, comprise many
men of epeoial fitness for scientific research to whom the'
preeenoe of a mil equipped ««»> !■»"*»"* “4
.tatlou would do a oon.tant e°»roe *»a *»

scene of their activities.

This laboratory is primarily designed to be for the
benefit of the servioe for which these men are being trained,
not for the benefit of civilian scientists. It must deal with
the peculiarly individual problems of an. organization concerning
the details and needs of which few laymen, no matter what their
experience and attainments in other lines, are familiar. It must
necessarily be a government laboratory and experimental station
for the development of specific naval ideas and a contributor to
naval needs.

it the eame tin. the actual and poeeible imitation*
of It* activities, must not be loot eight of. It le not lnte
to rival In lav.et.ent, equlp-ent or output great lndu.trial
faotorlee or ..ohm. .hope, or do the .orb l.gltmatel, belonging
to tb. Kavy Yard, or Gun Shop*. It ie prl-arlly. intended for a
reeearob laboratory, «tb eufflolently -pie up-to-date -oblne

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

10-

ahop facilities to undertake and oarry through successfully
and rapidly such meohanioal work as may properly come within
its sphere.

These functions, not those of great construction,
if properly carried out, will give this laboratory a national
standing, oommand the oonfidenoe of the Navy Department and
Congress, and he a souroe of inspiration and pride to the
professional offioers of the service, most of whom spend
at least four years of the formative period of their professional
life at Annapolis, and large numbers of whom are constantly
on duty there or at the Capitol.

UNITED STATES NAVY YARD

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

December 8, 1916.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Edison laboratories.
Orange ,

H.J.

My dear Mr. Edison;-

' I greatly appreciate the fact that

you have so soon been able to give me some of your
valuable time in connection with the voloe pipe wort
in whioh X am Interested. I know that I shall find the
suggestions contained In your letter of December 5th
most valuable.

I purpose keeping In touoh with you
through your advisory engineer, Mr. Hutohison, with whom
I shall correspond more or less frequently on this subjeot,
until I feel that we have thrashed this matter out.

Naval Constructor, U.S.N.

avail, Ccnrsinunnre Board

Landing, New Jersey
December 10, 1916.

’ ,<W^m 1*®*^ ^ 4 a j +- lici. tS vf

rx

n . I was .greatly.ipLaased and impressed

v <5 <sL<fJX www euUwAi? *-fl ««. <SC*.«m? tw*'*'*

with ybur short, cuncAse, .r^t-to-the-M^ab talk J3S~t&L

I am glad that you for|esawJa|nd.V.were able to stall the
objections toJ§aMy\ Hook/Jn account of tele disturbing
j^bffect from the blast of the big guns fir^i there.

] There is no one thing about ^ich there is

^greater popular error than respecting tne'^mage capable
of being done by explosive blasts exerted through the
atmosphere at even short distances. The actual effect
is far less than is generally supposed.

Time is a very important factor in the doing
of damage at distances, with explosive materials. While
the sound of an explosion may be heard at a long dis¬
tance and glass be broken as far away as the sound can
be heard, still, the very brief duration of the pulsa¬
tion, and its lack of massiveness at any considerable
distance, renders its actual disturbing effect small.

A propos of this, and in support of the truth
of what you said yesterday, let me call your attention

T.A.E.

12/10/16

-2-

to page eighteen of my new book. Dynamite Stories, a
copy of which I am today sending you, with my compli¬
ments.

Faithfully yours.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.

Chairman, Naval Consulting Board,
Orange, New Jersey.

Deoombor 11,1916.

Uaval Constructor Elliot Ena w, C. S. I.'.,
United Statos navy yard,
Philadelphia , pa.

Dear Hr. Snow:

I- havo. rocolvcd .your favor of tho
8th instant. Since ray laat letter to you I have
thought of another suggestion, and that ic, in
your experiments I would try brass tubing with a
glass tube inside. Tho Corning Glass Co., Corn¬
ing, ,Ii.y., now make a now kina "of glass which would
be bo good for this purpope . Wo use this glues
ourselves for primary battery jars. While the
jars arc a foot square ana the walls of one-auartor
inch glass, wo cap pour boiling water into them
without any crocking.

I . think the Corning Gloss Co . can moko
the tubes In twelvei foot lengths. This would
reduce your friction to tho limit of possibility
-if you use, say, two-inch iron pipo and fairly
closely-fitting brass glass pipe having ono-oight
inch wall. • Youy floxiblos, if used, would oauso
you.a .lot of loss.

If- you consider an inch-tube- system, with
a Central station, using small leather buckets like
thoso used, in some tologrnph offices, you con write
tho message, pat it in, , close the volvo and shoot it
to Central, and -Central condo it to tho point wanted,
where it drops out automatically and rings a bell or
drops a signal1. Compressed air is used. This system
would be quite simple, but I have no idoa as to
whether or not it is practical for your purposo.

• Jf wo only had tho llaval Experimental Lub or¬
atory * wo could make anything you wanted in a Bpace
of timo that a huc'tlor would call a rocord.

Yours very truly.

a/1664.-

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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k-tJc $ jwri-.'H* i «■***■ ^ f1

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V| 0''-°

Decomber 12,1910

fo Mayors und

Board a of Oracle in the Sandy Hook District:

Shia letter will be presented
by Mr. Marshall Brugman, whom X an sending out
to colloct- certain information for no. He will
. oxplc.in the nature of tho .information desired,
and I shall be obliged for any courtesy and
assistance extended to him in njy behalf.

Yours respectfully.

Hr. Hudson ;ioxira,'

Landing , liow Jorso y.

Doer, :.Ir . Huxiat:

I rocoivod your favor of tho loth
Instant, which has boon road with groat interest.
Lot rao than!: you for your hind expressions at tho
3oard mooting. I boliovo I on right in regard
to Sandy hook, and as to a rapid Constructing lab¬
oratory instead of a Bosoareh Laboratory. X an
going to stick to it. I shall never attach ray-
self to a dead Government-operated concern. If
I can't got quicker results’ and plenty .of thorn,

I will not play tho game.

Thank you for tho copy of your bool:
"Syn&nitc Stories". It looks very ^ronieing and
I on going to toko it homo and read It.

1'ours very truly , •

A/lbOC.

A \Ja1ML COiKTSUILTING BOAl®

Deo. 13, 1916.

Mr. Thos. Edison,

Orange, H. J.

My dear Edison:

I am enclosing copy of majority report of the
Committee on Sites, amended to include the arguments for
and against Sandy Hook as required hy resolution adopting
the report in favor of Annapolis. The amendment expresses
the understanding of the rest of us.

In forwarding the resolution it will of course
he necessary to send a copy of the report giving the reasons
for the selection; if not sent it would he called for.

I am in hopes that after you have gone over this
you will see your way to make tlie report in favor of Annapolis
unanimous, since the hoard as well as the Committee are so
largely in favor of it,- this of course without suppressing
in any manner your views as given in the report.

In such case the report will he slightly amended,
simply to say that on final consideration you would join with
the rest of us in recommending Annapolis, or of course that could
he done hy separate letter.

OF THU VHHGD STATUS

The Department is pressing for a conclusion^.,
and it is desirable that the notioe of the decision should
go forward not later than tomorrow, Thursday.

Very truly yours.

CROCKER -WHEELER COMPANY

MANUFACTURERS OF ELECTRIC MOTORS, GENERATORS AND TRANSFORMERS

ALTERNATING AND Dl RECT CU RR ENT
QUOTATIONS ARE BINDING ONLY WITHIN TWENTY DAYS FROM THEIR DATE

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
West Orange, N. J.

Dear Mr. Edison:

AMPERE, N.J..U.S.A.

Deoember 14, 1916.

You spoke to me yesterdayof the desirability
of running the turbines at very high speed, mentioning a
periptejal speed of 15,000 feet per minute for the generator,
and X gathered the impression that you meant that very high
speed oould not be availed of on account of gear limitations
unless electric drive was used.

Whon running at the highest peripheral. apood. "Jhe
shaft speed, of oourse, depends upon the diameter used in the
design of the turbine. The large types of turbines, are of
rather large diameter, and X understand' attain perii>4k^Speede
considerably greater than you mentioned. I e£r&e 'understand
that large turbines are run at speedB of from 1500 to 3500
RPM, and also that single reduction gears in ratio of 7 to 1,

8 to 1, 10 to 1 and even 30 to l,are common practice, and that
olofts have been run up to 30,000 and 40,000 H.P. for one gear.
The propeller speed for the Battle Cruisers in question is
350 R.P.M.

It seems to me if the above data is all oorrect
-thatit has been quite fully demonstrated that it is entirely
praotioal to get the advantage of the great simplicity of the
single reduction geared drive in the Battle Cruisers in whioh
propeller shafts take 45,000 H.P. each. What do you think?

I have your telephone message about the reversing.
It is oommon practice all over to reverse by turning the steam
through a separate set of reversing buokets.

I enclose a list of a lot of 9hips that use geared
drive, and all of which reverse in the above mentioned way. The
British Navy is building a lot of. high power ships with geared
drive in which very great power i3 transmitted. But, as you
know, they will not let out any of the definite data.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Geared Turbine Sets In Service in the U.S.
U. S. S. "Wadsworth" - Destroyer.

Parson’s Geared Sets

2 shaft

Gear Ratio

5.5 to 1
3.4 to 1

17,500 S.H.P.
30 Knots

3494

1510

U. S. S. " Bushnell" )
& (.
"Melville" )

Tenders

Parson's Geared
Sets.

1 shaft
3,500 S.H.P.

Gear Ratio 16.4 to 1
R.P.M. 3000

"Paoifio" Cargo Vessel
G. E. Co

1 shaft
3,400 S.H.P.

CurtiB Geared Set

Gear Ratio • 39 to 1
Double reduotion gear
Turbine R.P.M. 3500
Prop . " 90

"Cubadist" )

&

A Luokenbabh Steamer]

Cargo Vessels

G, E. Co. Curtis Sets - 3500 H.P.

The above steamers are now in servioe. Over 75 other sets are

building.

Numerous gear sets have been in servioe for sometime operating
as cruising or slow speed turbines sets for Destroyers and Battleships.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Data on Geared Turbines Installations from
Book bv J. W. M, Southern - 4th Edition.,

"Tusoania" & "Transylvania"
3 shafts
11,000 S. H. P.

17.6 Knots

(Page 480)

Gear Ratio a 13.5 to 1
Turb. R.P.M. 1700
Prop, " 136

Several Passenger Steamers
3 shafts
13,000 S. H. P.

18 knots

(Page 494)

Gear Ratio
Turb. R.P.M.
Prop. "

13 to 1
1750
135

"Oiudad de Buenos Aires"
5300 S. H. P.

"King Orry"

Astern Power = 60$

3 shafts

(Page 453)

Gear Ratio Ii.P. 8.7 to 1
L. P. 6 to 1

(Page 455)

Max. ahead power.

Gear Ratio H.P. 7.4 to 1

L.P. 5.4 to 1

H.P. Turb. R.P.M. 3310

L.P. " . " 1617

"Cairnross" (Page

1570 H.P. on gear

(Pages 483-483)

3 shaft
13,000 S.H.P.

About 5,000,000
or building in England.

Gear Ratio 36.3 to 1
Turb. R.P.M. 1703

Prop . " 65

Gear Ratio H.P. 9.3 to 1
L.P. 7 to 1
-H.P. Turb, R.P.M. 3650
L.P. " " 1995

power of gear sets are built

\\

Honorable Josephus Daniels,

Seoretary of the Hairy,

Washington, D. C.

Deoember 14, 1916.

at a meeting of the Haval Consulting Board in Washington on
September 19th the following resolution was passed:

n That a committee of six be appointed to take up
and oonsider the ■question of the site of the Haval
Experimental and Researoh laboratory, Mr. Edison to
be Chairman. The report of this oommittee to
oome back to the whole Board for consideration, the
oommittee itself to have no power. n

In accordance with this resolution a special oommittee was
appointed consisting of the following members:

Thomas A. Edison, Lawrence Addioks, 1. H. Baekeland,

Thomas Hobins, Rrank J. Sprague, W. R. Whitney.

At a meeting of the Board held in Hew York on Deoember 9th, the
oommittee presented a report favoring the selection of Annapolis as the
site of the laboratory, said report being signed by all the members of the
oommittee except the Chairman, Mr. Edison, who presented a minority report
in favor of Sandy Hook.

After full disoussion the following resolution was passed by a
large majority:

» lhat the report of the oommittee on site for the
location of the Experimental Station and Research
Laboratory in favor of Annapolis be adopted, subject
to suoh revision of phraseology as will more fully
incorporate various points on thiB subject advanced
at this meeting. "

A copy of the report of the committee, as amended in accordance
with the resolution Just quoted, is attaohed hereto.

Respectfully,

PiGMAS ROBINS

TR/gt - Eno.

Seoretary,

HAVA! COHSTOTIHG BOARD.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

REPORT

of

COMMITTEE OH SITES.

In arriving at a conclusion ao to ahioh aits on
the whole prescnto the greater advantages under exi sting
conditions, it is essential to oonaider, first the
authority for and functions of the naval laboratory, and,
second, the manner in which it suet be operated.

The Act caking appropriations for the Haval Scrvioe
for the fiscal year ending June 20, 1917, provided as follows:

EXPERIMENTAL AMD RESEARCH LABORATOHT: For laboratory
and research work on the subject of gun erosion, torpedo
motive power, the gyroscope, submarine guns, proteotion
against submarine, torpedo and mine attack, improvement
in submarine attachment a, improvement and development
in submarine engines, storage batteries and propulsion,
aeroplanea and nlroraft, improvement in radio insta-llntlone,
and such other neoeossury work for the benefit of the
Government service, including the construction, equipment
and operation of a laboratory, the employment of eoiontlfio
civilian assistants as may become nooeaaary, to be
expended upon the direction of the Seoreta ry of the Ra-vy
(limit of coot not to exceed Sl,5C0,C00), §1,000,000:
Provided, That nothing herein shall he construed aa pre¬
venting or Interfering with the continuation or under¬
taking of neoesnary experimental work during the fiscal
year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen,
us heretofore conducted under other appropriations:

Provided further. That the Secretary of the Havy shall
sake detailed reports to the Congress not later than
June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and
annually thereafter, shoving the manner in which all
expenditures hereunder have been made.

The original conception vas for a laboratory
involving an outlay of almost #3,090, GOO, in which not only

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page 2 -

research and wiriNMl *ork tat heavy contraction of .11
kinds could be rapidly carried on; but after full hearing
the K*val Coaeittooo the total proposed for construction
and operation .a. cut to 8l.500.0C0, of *hlch only §1.000.000
has actually boon authorised; and this at a tine of increase*
of from 25 to IOC per cent in ooete of labor and materials.

The tense of the Act make even this appropriation cover
not only oonatruotion and equipment but all operating
expenses until further provision.

Because of this great and in many respects
regrettable reduction in the appropriation, and the serious
limitations resulting therefrom, it is vital that in order
to cake the most of the available funds there should be no
unnecessary duplication of equipment and facilities »hich
already exist in other Government plants, and no avoidable
expenditures outside of buildings and equipment.

For instance, land and vater approach costs oust
be minimised, and the idea of construction of large guns,
or vessels of any type, or the manufacture along commerolu!
lines of large numbers of any kind of equipment must be
abandoned. All heavy «ork must be and should be built, and
undoubtedly can be better built, at other places, and only
comparatively light *ork based upon research and experiment
should be carried on at the laboratory.

As to the manner in which it should be operated,
the idea that the »ork should be more or less under the
direction of Bureau Chiefs, individually or collectively, or
the members of the Koval Consulting Board, should be discarded.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page 3 -

for snob would lead to a m»ny-heaaed and Inefficient
organisation.

The laboratory should bo under a. responsible
ofi'loer of high rank who, because of his ability and
personality, would constructively co-operate with the bureau
chiefs, and thus keep in closest contact with the growing
needs of the Havy. On the other band, through the intimate
help of the Consulting Board, he should be enabled to take
rapid and radical steps, unencumbered by those difficulties
which are naturally connected aith systematic naval eork.

A policy should be pursued which will demonstrate to the
bureau chiefs that the laboratory will meet their needs
without demanding their oonstant supervision. It is hoped
that the co-operation will be each that nuval needs not yet
apprehended will be foreseen and provided for. It is intended
tht>t new apparatus, whether made by the laboratory or elsewhere,
should be thoroughly tested by the laboratory.

The experimental work already carried on in a small
way by the Bureau of Steal* Engineering at Annapolis, and by
the Bureau of Construction at Washington, la of the neoeasary
type. But their facilities are entirely inadequate for modern
requirements. Such problems as proposed in the Act of Appro¬
priation oan only he attacked by more extensive equipment, and
solved by more liberal appropriation than the bureaus possess.
With increasing complexity of naval appliances, the burden
of conception, as well a® development of new apparatus, will
have to be assumed by the S^vy, and facilities should
correspond at least to the experimental laboratories now

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page d -

considered euaenti-il to large manufacturing concerns. The
node of operation should also follow the general plane of
euah experimenting laboratories.

In aooord with the foregoing general concepts,
oonalderatjcn of various Bites wao taken up, with ep.eolfio
reference to a number of characteristics each * ore or leoo
influential in arriving at a decision.

Of the nearly sixty cites which have been
formally presented, on public and private lands, £ xom Hew
K^spahire to Louisiana and all east of the Hisslsaippl River,
but few oould toe considered favorably: in any event, before
investigating the cerita of privately owned Undo it was
necessary to ascertain whether there was available governaent-
owned land direotly controlled or acquirable by the Huvy
Department which would oee^f" the neoeaoory requirements.

The members of the Committee have, therefore,

Bade detailed investigations of a number of localities in
and about Sew York, the League Island Jfavy Tard at Philadelphia,
the site of the present experimental station at Annapolis
and tho Bslleview H^g'tsine site at tfashingten.

Eaoh of the above places possesses a number of
the requirement* which aro deemed essential,- none of course
posseesoo them all.

Broadly speaking, the decision as to site
finally narrowed down to a selection in the vicinity of the
national Capitol or Sew Tort, the Chairman preferring the
latter and the remaining five Reirbern of the Cowalttee being
unanimously in favor of the former.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Pago 5 -

The difference of opinion la based upon eoaewhat
different conceptions of the funotione of the experiment
station and laboratory and especially of the relation of
the Havjr to It.

The Chnirttan'e point of view may be expressed
briefly as follows: That Sandy Hook has ample ground available,
and although an Army reservation probably can, without
unreasonable delay, be transferred to the Ba-vy Department; that
it has water on both aides of fair depth; that it is within
a comparatively short distance from Men York, where there io a
large market for materials and labor, and is reasonably
accessible to workmen and visit by members of the ®-val Consult¬
ing Board. He feels that the laboratory should be essentially
a development machine shop run at high pressure when necessary,
and with but limited research f&cilltiea; that most of the
baelo facte necessary are already known; and that ouoh extra
research work as may be required oan be o&rrled on at ouoh
places as the Bureau of Standards, Washington, or at various
private experiment til research laboratories throughout the
country. He also thinks that both direction and operation
should be essentially civilian end largely dlvoroed from naval
influenoee and control, while with regard to future renuirecento
he believes that if the laboratory makes good there will be no
difficulty in getting all the soney that is necessary.

Disagreeing with these opinions, the remaining
five members of the Committee state their views, first, as
to Sandy Hook, and second, as to their final choice, as
follows:

The acquisition of Sandy Hook, being part of an

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page 3-

Army reservation, sight be 12a.teria.Hy delayed, while time le
the essence of auoceaoful development, not iserely in machine
construction but in getting the laboratory etarted and. letting
the Httvy Department and Cobgresa oee tangible reoulta. It is
not, we believe, as aooeawible a» cleitoed, for the experience
of individual coshers has 'aeon that to spend any appreciable
time for Investigation, even at the t.reuent proving grnunda,
thft entire day auot bo given to the work.

tfhile naval officers vary In their opinions aa
to other p liusee, for and against, not a einglc one has
expressed himself aa in favor of thla particular location.

The speeding of work, ao far- an the handling of machine
tools and men are concerned, can under proper regulations
and authority be aonduotod in one place as cell as in another.

In the determination of locations for the propoecd
nitrate and armor plate plants, freedom from attack has been
given due Importance. Sandy Hook la subject to direct naval
attack 'it long range. The presence of the proving grounds,
with heavy and irregular gun fire, is objeotion.iDlc and the
place offers poor faoilltlco for aeroplane or other outside
touts in winter.

It is impossible to separate proper reuearoh
and aachina developsent, and slnoe the problems to be solved
are essentially naval ones, to disassociate control send
operation of the plant Iron the naval service, for Whose
epeoiflo benefit it ia being projected, would be moot
unfortunate. The calling in of outside research or experiment¬
al laboratories on confidential natters would be a matter of
grave concern, and the experience cf the Haval Dor art Bent ae

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page 7 -

well as that of some of the aaoburo of the Board in this
connection ufforda little ground to hope for efficiency
by auoh referenoea.

It is with reluctance tint the majority members
of the Comcitteo find themselves obliged to disagree with the
Chairman in the conclusions arrived at, conoluaiona which it
uecms are in the main essential, especially in vie« of the
wide difference between the ooet and scope, as originally
outlined, of the experiment ntation and 3.3 finally authorized
in the Savnl Appropriation Bill.

PTKAL COKCLUSIOHSt

After careful consideration of the whole subject
we reo Oft send an the beat selection the site on which the
present experimental station at Annapolis, now under the Bureau
of Steam Engineering, is situated; also that this station be
removed from the Bureau control and oor.oolidated with the proposed
laboratory and Experimental Station, under the direction of a
naval of floor diatingulohed by hie scientific attainments and
managerial capacity, who should report directly, eoiar as it
i» practicable, to the Suvy Department.

The special characteristics noted are ae follows:

(1) Location, ownership and available area.

On the bank of the Severn Hlver,
opposite the Haval Academy,
present under the genera Juriediction
of ite Superintendent; nearly 100
acres out of a total of about 300,
a tq available} &®plo water front#

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Pago 6 -

(2) Character of land g&ESBSsSS 00<!>t»

'gif' VKa~ goat or changing oontour.

Ho purchase cost and hat low ooet
of changing oontour, even with
extensive building operations; land
offero excellent foundations.

(3) Hater front, Aortb of cater and proximity
~o? Eavigaole Channel.

Ample frontage, «itb a fine masonry
dook already constructed, a 3S ft.
channel, and room within three miles
to anchor the entire Atlantic fleet.

The channel from Baltimore to the
mouth of the Severn ie dredged to a
mini cue depth of 35 feet.

(4) Character of bottoms and, etability of ohannel.

Easily dredged, if required, and sith
practically no shifting change® in
channel.

Depends upon how large a ship is
to' bring close to the laboratory, but it
would eeera that accessibility of a
dreadnought to the dock is unnecessary;
there i» but little ice formation.

(6) Bangs of tide and oharaot er of water,
“"gtietTher" "freeh, brackish or sail.

Low tidal change; water unusually clean
and olenr from sand and sewerage, and
alt ho not otriotly sea water of the once
composition as the ocean contains a
considerable amount of salt.

( ? ) General Oim>atlo Conditions:

Good for all year work, and better in
suxter than Washington.

Character of neighborhood, considered from
~J reoi'&'eiitira standpoint.

In the aain excellent, an*,nca5
to Washington Tor reasonable nidltionai
acoial direxaionB.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Page 9 -

mule not a manufacturing oenter, wad
hence not available for quiokly changing
demands for mechanics, suah would. f oris
but a node rate proportion of the poople
employed, many of whom would be civilian
Boientlote* naval nffieere and possibly
wen fro® tho enllated forces who have
developed special aptitude.

About 100 wen are already employed, acme
of shorn actually live in Baltimore; but
It la a trite saying that labor follows
the aarkat, and if there ahould be hare
established a larger and more important
experimental station of the kind now
authorised, employing, not apaamodloal ly
and erratically but steadily, skilled wen
many would eventually make Annapolis
their home.

Ordinary operation doe* not require a
hand-to-mouth condition calling for daily
dependence upon the jobbers ofasreat
city. Of the manufacturing eetablioh-
»ento throughout the country large numbers
are remotely eitunted from, and are inde¬
pendent of. Haw York, and there ie no good
reason why with proper management the
proposed laboratory should not *>» »ell .
enough stocked to be similarly independent.

Baltimore is within 50 minutes by trolley and
24 milen by water, and materials oan bo
delivered every day of the year.

(11) Availability of other government machinery

The nearest government shops where
large work con be done are at Washington,
Horfolk and Philadelphia, but all are
available; and once it is necessary to
have euoh work done outside of the
experimental station & few mile* more or
i»aa ie a matter of small importance.

Moreover, the important Indian Head Proving
Grounds are within a comparatively short
distance.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

(12) Availability of.

and patent inf<

rnragnt records, scientific
patent information. andoff leers of hurenuB

for consultation,

saahlngton ia within two hours by electric
railway; and, in addition, the Governor of
Maryland olateB that there will be canotruct-
ed within two yoaro a 26 wile boulevard
direct to tiaohlngton, wnich can be eauily
covered by automobile within an hour.

.lecent rulea permit the purchase of service
automobiles in all depurtc;entn of the ::avy
when Uiia le required for prompt transpor-
tatlon.

From the :;nvy .Department caist ioaue all
original plana of construction, and tnero,
too, all records are available. In
isaohington there are the Government* •-> moat
important large gun factory, tne experimental
basin and wind tunnel, the latent office ,
bureau of Standards and various other
aourceo of auch special inf ormtion as may be
occasionally required. All are within
reasonable travelling distance and snort
telephonic communication.

(13) AccesBlblll ty of hi atori cal. models and rocordB.— ?.*■

K 1 ‘ Well an"’ standard and proposed naval equipments.

in addition to those available in
Washington , the steam and electrical
en«ineering laboratoriea at the ;nvnl
Aauileiqy und the oroducts of the existing
Kxperiisontal ha corn to ry are at hand.

(14) AcoesBibill tv for civilian scientists, J&S&SS

V jharii of the consulting hoard or reKUlajriy

employed.

Convenience to the members of the hoard
iteelf is not at riret importance, as they
will not be employed in the laboratory and
cannot, of course, operate it. moreover
the present composition and residence at
the iionrd are subject to radical changes.

as to the other scientists, Annapolis,

'..'aching ton arid Baltimore are all available,
in less time, for example, than the residon-
tial part of ?.ew lorh would be from bandy Kook

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

(15)

fiontiaicnt of >iaval offlcera.

The aontiwent of moat of those of wide
experience oae/un to be strongly in favor
of either Annapolis or hishington, while
oona who have not seen Annapolis in n score
of years prefer Sew York. «l)ere a difference
of opinion does exist, it seems to largely
be founded upon the assumption that the
laboratory lw to be an annex to the various
iuircnue and largely under their direction,
which point of view seems incorrect.

where a preference for Hew York has seen
voiced, it has been invariably accompanied
by the opinion that the location should be
on the «a in-land, easily accessible to either
i anhattan or Brooklyn, '.'here in no such land
available.

Admirably nituated to be free from
ordinary interference and unauthorised visits,
and offers aaich easier supervision of em¬
ployes. it is reasonably free from enemy
attacks and easily defended if necessary
by a fleet.

elliptic eonditiono, and lay of land and
water lend themselves to outside test a, for
example, of aeroplane* throughout the year.

The location is also frte from the disturbance
of gun fire.

(17) iiononntrntian of ' jcnarlaental v.ork and h.eveloTt'ient.

The present experimental station, in
oserotlon for sons ycaro, represents it
direct investment of about n Half mil¬
lion dollars, and the existing facil¬
ities and equipment could not now bo
duplicated for less than an additional
quarter of a million. About half a
million doiinro has been expended in
carrying on important investigation
and tests, now requiring the work of
100 men.

This condition is a good beginning, and
if there be now added to it such exten¬
sions in buildings, equipment and oper¬
ation uo are poseiole by the proper
expenditure of the million doliurs now
available aud are in view, as well as
ouch as are ordinarily available for
the present station, tuere will bo so-

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

i’age 12-

tabliuhed a dignified and affective
equipment, uora impressive la re-
aultn and ousting less to operate
than two separate experimental sta¬
tions of like total expenditure. In
fact, a considerably tore e-.ctenoive
equipment can be insured by extending
the present ulu.tJ.un limn by the con¬
struction of un independent one;- it can
be more quickly begun and put in operat¬
ing condition, and important experimental
work would not need to await the comple¬
tion of the whole.

besides the provisional plans outlined
sometime ago by the bnuirwun other piano
showing hau the present plant can be
extended have ueen outlined, and ao noon
as un agreement an general features to
arrived at work can be instantly begun.

(lsij ‘-on'gresaiunal i.upoort .

it is vitally important to avoid those
sectional influences ar.ich often times
interfere with Administration and
especially Congressional support,
instances of which are too numerous to
need specific mention. At Annapolis
as at nehington, the laboratory would
be on national territory and can be
developed along natiunul lines, in
connection with an institution in which
every hesu>er of Congress hue an individual
interest, and which can be more readily
visited by him than any other place under
consideration except .;a shins tan.

"here are some additional important considera¬
tions which rant enter into any broad view of this matter, and
which should carry weight if this project is to be developed
on the highest and moat effective plans.

Annapolis is the coat of the United States
..aval Acadeiqy, the prime source of the professional education
of the of floors who are especially concerned. It shares
with l&shington the individuality of national distinction.

At the .toadeay itself the Government has within recent years

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

i age 13-

expended in ouperb housing und educational buildings, and
electrical and machine equipment, considerably ov»r vlo.t.oO.bbu,
and thin in being conatuntly augmented. In uddition to the
educational facilities now extended to naval officers at Columbia,
i.arvard and elsewhere, there is here established a host graduate
uouroe which it la uoped cay be extended so as to ultimately
lUtike less neceaaury the utilizing of other University fnc ill t ies.

The graduates of the Academy, all of whom must in
every way be trained in the practical h» well us the theoretical
side of their profession, in laboratory and machine shop as well
as In the field ox on the water, representing in the uigheot
degree the democracy of the country, comprise many men of
special fitness for scientific reoearoh to whom the presence
of a well equipped research laboratory and experimental otntion
will be a constant eourco of inspiration and the ultimate scene
of their activities.

.'hie laboratory is primarily designed to benefit
the prof essional service for which Ui>*8« men uro being trained,
not for the benefit of civilian scientists. it must deal with
the peculiarly individual problems of un organization concern¬
ing the detailu and needs of wnioh few laymen, no matter what
their experience and attainments in other lines, are familiar,
it must necessarily be a government laboratory and experimental
station for the development of specific naval ideas and a con¬
tributor to naval needs.

At the same time the actual and possible limitations
of its activities must not be loot eight of. It is not intended
to rival in investment, equipment or output great industrial

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

i-cge 14-

fuctoriea or machine shupa, or do the is uric legit irately
belonging to the :<ttYy iardo or Guns Shopo. It in primarily
Intended for a research laboratory, with sufficient ample
up-to-date aaohine shop facilities to undertake anil carry
through succeosfully and rapidly auoh Mechanical work as
,oay properly ooue within ita sphere.

?hea« functions, not tnose of greet construction,
if proparly carried out. will give Uiie laboratory a national
■standing, command the confidence of the avy Department and
Congress, and pc a source of inspiration and pride to the
prof eaoionai officer* of the service, cost of whoa spend at
leact four years of the formative period of their professional
life at Annapolis, and largo nutebero of who* are constantly
on duty there or at the Capitol.

Signed by hawrence /.ddiaks
i,. ii. Baekeland
fhoo. i.obinn
j-'rank J. Sprague
y. h. Dhituey

Mm, Consuming B©a«®>

or THIS UNITED STATUS

OF I' I CIS OF TUB CHAIRMAN

Okatsmje, "NAT. December lb, 1910.

Hon. Josephus Daniels,

Secretary of the Navy,

Washington, D. C.

Sir:-

I do not agree with the majority of the
Committee 'on the selection of Annapolis as a
site for the proposed Iiaval Laboratory. I
believe this would be a very bad selection if
rapidity of construction is to be a dominating
feature of the Laboratory . I believe the best
place for such a Laboratory is on the Sandy Hook
peninsula .

2he practical advantages of Sandy Hook
are as follows:

1. Unlimited amount of flat land away from
inhabited places, where experiments can be made
unobserved.

2. Where there is an operating proving ground
right at hand.

S. Where, nearby, there is a highland nearly
300 feet high, invaluable for experimenting on cer¬
tain strategic devices.

4. Where, on account of the narrow strip of

Hon. Josephus Daniels . -2- 12/lO/lC.

land projecting into the sea, certain experiments
and tests can he carried out under more nearly prac¬
tice conditions than at any other point.

5. Chat it is an ideal place for Aeroplane work,
v;ith both smooth and deep sea conditions, in view
of the long coast and beach line of the State.

6. Chat it gives every facility for experiments
with and operation of Submarines.

7. Chat no ornamental or expensive buildings need
be constructed, as necessarily there will be no
visitors to impress .

0. Chat the country around the Havesink Highlands
is the finest in the State for residence. Monmouth
County is the richest farming County in Hev: Jersey,
and living is cheaper than in almost any other part
of the State.

9. Chat there is ample and rapid transportation facil¬
ities for all tho men likely to be employed in the
laboratory .

10. Chat there are more houses, at very moderate rents,
procurable in the IS Cities and Eowns adjacent to the
Hook than at any other point. Hy investigator already
reports houses for over COO families can be obtained at
very moderate rental close by the Hook and that conditions
in that respect are ideal.

11. Chat the laboratory buyer in Hew York can by tele¬
phone procure and ship any supplies to the Hook by the

small Motor Boat owned by the Laboratory oweed-by . -fee

L&boxttjioxy quicker than at any other site, the dis-

Hon. Josephus Daniels,

12/lb/lG.

tance being 1 hour hy this boat ana 2-l/2 hours
by Railway.

12. Shat freight from two Railways can be taken
right to the laboratory on the Government Railroad

at the Hook, and water-borne freight can be delivered
at the Dock of the laboratory.

13. In ordinary manufacturing districts employees
arc constantly coming and going, the number in most
cases amounting to about GO-; of the turnover of all
employed. Sandy Hook region not being a manufacturing
District, I think the men employed at the laboratory
will not be so liable to change.

14. Hew York now is, I believe, the largest City
in the World . It is the greatest market in this
Country. In Hew York nearly every article sold in
the United States can be found in stock. In the City
and vicinity of Hew York is the greatest collection
of factories in the Country making the most diverse artic
les, and all this vast variety of materials can be
instantly placed at the disposal of the laboratory.

13. A majority of the great industries of the Country
have a Hew York office, and most of the higher officials
reside there. To these men we can appeal for small
supplies urgently needed at once, thus eliminating the
usual months mill delay, and in my opinion we will get
them.

16. There are certain strategic devices which can

Hon. Josephus Daniels,

-4-

12/1C/16.

only be porfected over the ocean itself, especially
where many large ocean going steamers are passing
night ancl aay, where ha2e, fogs and high winds often
prevail, and these necessary conditions are found at
Sandy Hook.

17. Che Havy will be certain to have more problems
to solve than those set forth in tho Appropriation
Bill, and it may also be expected soon that Congress
may want the laboratory to construct and test Army-
devices co-operatively with the liavy.

This I have tuken in consideration in suggest¬
ing Sandy Hook.

As to the character of the laboratory itseli:

I recommend that it be one that is -constructed, arranged
and run as a- works for tho rapid construction and test
of experimental machines and devices, Chat it be oper¬
ated on a war basis, whore speed of construction is the
dominating motto. Chat it bo operated in three shifts
of 8 full hours each. Chat every machine should bo
given out to the workmon in parts one man to a part,
to the end that when tho part which takes the longest
time to make is finished, the whole machine is finished.
Chat these parts are spread all ovor the works and tnen
brought together in an assembly shop, where they can
be put together by trustworthy men, preserving a secrecy
which is practically impossible in the usual shop.

Hon. Josephus Daniels,

-6-

12/15/16.

I do not think that scientific research
work to any great extent will he necessary. Kesearch
work in every branch of science, and industry, cost¬
ing countless millions of dollars and the labor of
multitudes of men of the highest minds has been carried
on for many years. -11 of this has been recorded, and
yet only a rediculously small per centage has as yet
been applied and utilised. It is therefore useless
to go on piling up more data at great expense and de¬
lay while we are free to use this Ocean of facts.

fhere will of course arise many things tnat
require a special research. Mach of this can oe done
at the proposed laboratory, but in certain branches of
Ecience U would be better to use the facilities and
the ilesearchers at the other Government Bureaus such
as the Bureau of Standards, 3uroau of Chemistry, and
many others, and also the exceptionally able men who
are the heads of many industrial Kesearch laboratories.

I do not fear that there would be trouble about secrecy
amo sing the latter.

AS to the management of the proposed laboratory.
I believe it should be civilian. Also that the civilian
Secretary' of the U*r should control through an appointed
iiaval Officer, preferably one who has been or now is an
industrial manager, of a llavy Yard, and that no llnval
Officers who have their own duties should interfere in
any way. I also think that we/proceod to experiment on
the special devices mentioned in the appropriation, as

Hon. Josephus Daniels,

-6-

12/15/16.

well as such other devices as the ilavul Officers
sketch out and pass on to the laboratory through
the Secretary; also any other devices suggested
from outside sources which the Secretary of the
Uavy thinks should be made.

In concluding this report I want to suggest
that it may be well to consider the erection of
temporary buildings, very inexpensive but really
as good, as more costly ones, and which would lust
for many years and be fireproof. At any time the
site could be changed or permanent buildings erected
and any mistake of judgement could be corrected at
small expense, and the laboratory would quickly be
put in operation.

I expected to have this minority report
ready to be forwarded with the majority report, but
I was busy and did not have time to prepare it quickly
enough.

Hospectfully ,

} VtlC4, CL,

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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05.

CONSTRUCTION OFFICER

UNITED STATES NAVY YARD

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

1)6061111)01 16, 1916.

, Thomas A. Edison.
Edison laboratories,

? dear Mr- Edis

thank you very much for the information
concerning the glass tubing, and also am i glad to havettn e
address of the Corning Glass Company, with whom i shall
shortly communicate.

It ocotrrs to me that there will be two •
difficulties which will likely be encountered in connection
with the use of glass tubing for voice pipe work; one is the
danger of its breaking from the shock of gun fire, and the
other is the difficulty of getting watertightness in the com¬
partments through which the tubing is to pass.

In our previous discussion of the subject
I failed to point out that the question of watertightness
was a very important one. Also, that the question of weight
might become prohibitive . 1 shall oertainly give the matter

my olosest attention.

In connection with the 1" pneumatic tube
aystem. This has been considered at times and “would work
out very well if it were not for the fact that this means ox
communication is entirely too slow when a T®ssel *

The distance of the enemy changes very rapidly, particularly
with high speed craft, and it becomes very neoesBary to be
able to announce ranges accurately in a very f ow + Rn

this tube system would hardly meet these requirements.

j reoently visited the Bureau of Con¬
struction and Kepair in Washington and talked voice pipes at
some considerable length with the representatives of teat
Bureau and the Bureau of Ordnance, and I find them to be very
much interested in the subject. I am therefore sending un¬
officially to-day, a proposed system of voice tubes for some
n-F the new destroyers.

Deo. 16, 1916. CG.

I enclose herewith a copy of'.-.the letter I have
thus written together with blueprint and two photographs
illustrating the proposed method of using the 'Duplex
mouthpiece ,

Y/hen Mr. Hutchison was here with you I had a brief
talk with him concerning the feasibility and advisability
of using smaller tubes on our BhipB and running them in
parallel and then bringing them together in duplex and even
triplex mouthpiece b.

May I therefore venture to again trespass on your
valuable time and ask your criticism on the "Duplex" mouth¬
piece shown on the plan, with reference to the following
points : a/ a-- -

(a) The angle of taper vfrrtihn pas from whioh
the twin mouthpieces are to be made up - what will be
the probable effect on the distinctness of speech that
will result from the adoption of a semi-circular en¬
trance gradually tapering to a circular outlet at the
lower end of the ’’Duplex" mouthpiece.

Yours very tXly,

Uaval C onstruot or , U . S . N .

■<^s.

^ \/M

jX

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

CO.

Dooombor 16, 1916.

Uaval Constr. J.D. Beurot, U.B.H.,

Bureau of construction and Repair,
llavy Department,

Washington,

D.G .

SUBJECT: Destroyers 75 to 94 - j?roposed fire control
voiae tubes for guns.

EilCBOSUHES : ( Herewith )

(/,) Blueprints in duplicate of Plan Ilo.
(B) Photographs in duplicate.

My dear Betiret:-

I am forwarding herewith an outline arrange¬
ment showing a proposed system of voioe tubes for fire oon-
trol on the destroyer class 75 to 94. This diagram is marked
up with tho sizes of the tubing and with sufficiently gonoral
and detail information so that if the powerB that bo want to
develops it for official purposes this can easily be done with
the data furnished.

I am writing to Mr. Thos. A. Edison to-day,
sending him a copy of tho blueprint and asking hiB oritioism
on the "Duplex" mouthpioco , primarily with reference to the
soml-oiroular flattening of tho two oones whore they crane
together.

I will let you know what he says Just as Boon
as I get the information.

Personally from my experience I have no
honitanoy whatever in recommending the adoption of the arrange¬
ment shown on ths plan.

I also onolOBe a photographs which show about
the way the tube would look, and also tho position of the
hands when ooramunicating through both halves of tho "Duplex
mouthpiece. If one desires to communicate through only one-
half of the "Duplox" mouthpiece they Bimply have to place tho

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Doo. 16, 1916. CG.

mouth a little closer to the mouthpiece and speak through
the half through whioh' they aoBiro to ooramunioate .

I am enclosing duplicate aopioB of my letter to
l!r- Edison, and also this letter to you, so that you may
pass them to Lieut. Sharp if you so .doBire, ns I promised
him the data.

Very olnoorely,

iawmauoTSt»«.

10 Fifth Avenue
Hew York, H. Y.
December 18, 1916

Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Edison Laboratory
West Orange, H. J.

Dear Mr. Edison:

1 am sending you herewith reportB on the places
I have recently visited in the Sandy Hook district.

I have interviewed a large number of men, in¬
spected residences and public buildings, and covered the
territory thoroughly. This section is inferior to none
for residential purposes.

Climatic conditions are practically ideal. The
rich soil produces abundant and choice vegetables and
fruits. Vast quantities of fish and shell-fish are ob¬
tained fresh from the ooean and along the shores. Fresh
poultry and eggs may be obtained the year round;.

Pure water is plentiful. Transportation facil¬
ities are excellent, and the public highways are almost
perfect.

If we eliminated all other places in this
section, the cities of Long Branch and Atlantic Highlands,
both near Sandy Hook, could house and oare for five hun¬
dred families and one hundred men if they should seek
immediate accommodations in these cities.

Most respectfully,

Iatai Consulting Imi®

OF THU TIXTEI3D STATUS

December 19^1916.^

Mr. Thomas E. Edison,

So . Orange , N . J .

Dear Mr. Edison:

I have been traveling much of the time since our
meeting, but have had in mind to drop you a note expressing
my very deep appreciation of all you have done in the
interests of the Board. I regret exceedingly that it did
not seem wise to the Board to follow exactly your recommenda¬
tions, but in matters such as this, I presume we have to
make certain compromises, and if they are wisely made
some times they are for the best. For instance, in this
case I feel that the pork barrel stood solidly between the
wisest measure and the compromising measure; and, of course,
the future appropriations for the laboratory are imperative.

But this is written to assure you that you have been
an inspiration to us all by your example; and your devotion
to the cause, with the time taken from your labors in in¬
specting the various localities, touches us all deeply. So,
my dear Edison, do not for a moment be discouraged, because it
may all come out for the best, and in any event you have the
full sympathy and I know the hearty appreciation of every '
member of the board. You have done a big work and, as stated
above, have been a great inspiration to us all.

Very sincerely,

%P

\

BSHaflML.

December 20, 1910.

My dear Mr. Edison:

X have received the report or the majority committee favor¬
ing Annapolis as the site for the laboratory, and I have also
your statement in v;hich you give your reasons why you think it
should be located at Sandy Hook. I have read both with great
care, and I need not tell you with great regret, because I had
hoped that the report of the committee wculd be unanimous. There
are strong arguments in favor of each 3ite, and you have present¬
ed those favoring Sandy Hook very clearly and very fully. The
majority members have made a strong presentation of the reasons
which induced them to consider Annapolis the better site. The
feeling here at the Department among the experts is not in favor
of either place; they prefer the District of Columbia. In view
of these conflicting opinions, it would seem to me I should ap¬
prove the majority report. I have hot yet acted, solely be¬
cause of my deference to you and my great confidence in your
judgment. I am constrained to feel it is my duty to approve
the report of the majority, and I think you will agree with me
the fact should have weight, that in constituting the Board, from
two members of each society, I followed the excellent suggestion
which you made, and, while I place much more value upon your
opinion than upon the opinion of any other member of the Board,

I fear both of us would, in a way, fail to support the Board,

-2-

which was appointed after our conference, and that we owe it to
them and to the best service of the Naval Consulting Board to
give heed to their earnest recommendation.

I sent you some days ago a statement showing the amount of
land we have at Annapolis. We have a depth of water there of
nineteen feet, and I feel sure that with your direction in the
way of getting results quickly and the co-operating work of the
other members of the committee, your idea of the laboratory will
make it not only of great value to the Navy but to the whole
country.

I had hoped that this week I could arrange to run over and
talk with you about the matter, but I am trying your stunt of
doing two men's work in a day and I cannot get away; but I do
not wish to take any action until hear from you.

X hope you will feel, even though the views of the majority
of the committee are not in accordance with yours, that the site
they recommended is one at which, under your direc tion aided by
them great good can be done, and that we can immediately appoint
a building committee, of which I wish you to be chairman, to be¬
gin the work.

Your great service to the country on the Naval Consulting
Board as well as in other ways will be of lasting value to the
Navy, and I believe also to the Army, and will for all time be
an inspiration to the inventive and scientific genius of
America.

My wife joins me in the hope that you and Mrs. Edison will
come down to Washington seme time in January to see us in our

-3-

home. V/o would greatly enjoy a visit from both of you.

Always,

Sincerely yours.

Thomas A. Edison, E3q. ,
Orange ,

H. J.

December 21,1016.

liaval Constructor Elliot Snots, U. 3. II.,

Uni tod States iiavy Yard,

Philadelphia, Pi. . ,

Ey dear Mr. .Snon;

Your favor of tho 16th instant,
with enclosures has been received and its oontontc
carefully noted.

. I intended to cay in my last letter that

tno- glass tubes were to bo put in iron pipes, and
X thought I had" made that point clear.-

2i0 nev.' Corn-

aoy could fit fairly chug, fho
xng glass ic about fho toughost that I have
scon. .. ’dhile ordinary glass -minht broafc by concuss¬
ion. X do not believe . that Coming glass would.
However, if you fear broc&cgo, tho, next best thing
is porcolcin-linod piping.- Ehia is protty smooth,
r.- i- V; or he to some extent, also

I cannot recall tho nam-c of the.nanufac-
turero of porcclaln-linod tubing, but if you cannot
locate them 1 will try ny hand at it.

tube

have

I did not ::nov; you wanted the oocahinp
cystoo for directing gun fire, or I would not
curgoctod tho air system.

I, an afraid to. advise on
In tho Phonograph w|» oonnoct thus:

duplex dovlco,.

Yours vory truly,.
X‘.S. I return your bluo pr into 'A roquor ■*- "

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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December

PBH30HAD . _ '

Hon- Josephus Daniolo, , '

Secretary of the Itavy,

Washington,' D. C.

Friend Daniels:

Your favor of tho 20th instant
has boon rccoivad this morning.

.1 would not unaor any cireumstoncos
connect uo with any. enterprise .which* my experi¬
ence shows would certainly prove to ho a fail¬
ure, and I an certain that the erection and
operation of: tho proposed Kapid Development Lab-
oratory at Annupolic would. bring about that re¬
sult . ' J

It ip fizofi in my mind, whothor right
or wrong, that tho public would" look to no to
csal:o tjio Laboratory a success, and that I would ...
havo to do 9t$ of tho work, fhoroforo, if I
cannot- obtain proper conditions to make it a
success, I would hot undortnko lt nor bo connected
.with it in the romotostdogrooi, or be hold re¬
sponsible .for its DUCCOOO.

You reooivod. only the report of tho
' Commit toe, but hot the’ roport of tho Board.

Thoro woro several members ‘Who votod against
tho Conmittoo's report.. Also, notwithstanding
my protoot, the Committee suppressed the testi¬
mony of the Offioors of the Brooklyn Davy Yard,
who vroro unanimous against Annapolis.

I am afraid wo are up against something
not oxpected by us whon tho Board -was organised.

I .will talk- this over with you the next timo I
sec you.

Ford, Burroughs and I will go. to Florida
about the first of ilaroh. y Wo are going on a
Camping Vrip. • You must como along and bring .
the Boss] as all our women folks will go with
us . Uyhlace is on' the - Gulf sido away from tho

-2-

' crowd. .

Hy. wife and I join in all tho good
v;iD-hoo.of the Sotoon for you and your wife.

Yourc sincerely.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

December 26,1910.

W. 1. Goolts Company,

50 3roud Street,

/ < . Dei; York, II. Y.

Gontlomen:

iir . Kdison understands that you
roi-resont Ihe Austin Company of Cleveland, .
Ohio. ho would like to h:_vo. full particu¬
lars on the' type of buildings advertised
in tho Literary Digest of Doeenfcer 23,1916,
ae "Austin Standard 30-Day Building".

. Ao you arp^ncurby, Hr. Edison
thinks that you can probably let me have
thio information immediately.

Yours vory truly.

Assistant to. Hr. Edison.. •

A/1709,

The Austin Company f|

indusimal en®omee^s m d ©yiiioiis

Austin Standard Factory-Buildings
Industrial Plants and llicir Equipment
Power-Houses and Heating-Systems

Main Office. 14230 Euclid Avenue. Clevelanc

_ GOELTZ COMPANY

,BK Deoember 27 , 1916

Haval Consulting Board
Of flie United States.

Thos. A. Edison, Chairman.

Gentlemen:- Attention of Mr. Yfln. H. Meadoworoft

On receipt of your favor of the 26th instant,
we advised our Bridgeport Office, who have charge of ^
the Eastern Division to get in communication with you ""
at once, relative to "THE AUSTIH ST5HDABD 30 DAY B'LDG"
Thanking you for this Inquiry and assuring
you of our prompt attention, we are,

V ery truly yours,

W. 1. G0E1TZ COMPAHY.

wlg/t

<tv“'

„ . ^ JL-.

^ ^ {b^^UJ3n „

-^r^: * -tf* '»*

, ^ *a ^1*^'

- -***“

, - Un£b'

«-***

Dv^^V— ‘»6n“ ,

~ '..9*

The apparatus la to be entirely automatic,
and must at frequent intervale announce the names of the
lighthoueea, and also some warning message such as "You
are getting closer j look out."

It is, of course, necessary to use for
this purpose a phonograph disc with a diamond or sapphire
stylus.

I am asking you therefore if you will be
so kind as to oo-operate with the Navy and myself to this
extent, that you will sell me a twelve inch disc having
two circular (and not spiral) tracks near the outer cir¬
cumference, say with one half inoh separation between the
two tracks. In the outer track record the words "Point
J.udi'th Light. " Repeat this phrase once for the entire
circumferenoe. In the inner track record the words "You
are getting oloeer>look out," or if this phrase iB too long

Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Subjects - Form Letters (1916)

This folder contains standard letters prepared by Edison's personal
assistant, William H. Meadowcroft, as responses to the thousands of
unsolicited communications that the inventor received on war-related topics.
At the beginning of the folder is a note from Meadowcroft to Edison explaining
the plan to use the forms as responses to "letters from unimportant people."
The numbers at the top of the forms correspond to the notations (for example,
"Form 1") that appear on many of the incoming letters in this record group.

All of the forms have been selected. However, some of the form letters
that were used in later years are not included in this folder. Examples can be
found in the "Correspondence" folders.

Mr. Edison:

-V

January 2

We have quite a number of letiMrs come to you in re-
gard to various inventions that the inventors want to have sub¬
mitted to the Haval Consulting Board. The most important of
them I have usually put in your mail basket, but there have been
a number of other letters from unimportant people, and I have
written letters to them substantially like the copy attached.

I propose to use this as a form letter for what appear
to be the unimportant ones if you approve. Is it all right?

MEADOW CHOET .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mr. J. Irving Moskimons,
B. 2. D. j/6. Box 114,
Phoenix, Aria.’

I have received your lettor in regard to improvements
in Aoroplanos . If you wish to have your device Brought to the
attention of the iiaval Consulting Board, you may send descrip¬
tion and drawings to mo, and I will forward the same to the
proper committee. Please observe the following conditions, how¬
ever'; (1). if you wish to protect yourself before sending descrip¬
tion and drawings, you con do so by filing an application for

.tee patent before sending them.

_ ^ _ _ _

2. JCetr'can also protect) yourse

2. Jietr'c&n also protect) yourself by having your de-

A

Qcri-pt'ion and drawings datod and signed by yourself and two wit¬
nesses. In this case, do not send the signed originals, but

only copies.

3. If it is desirod to keep the matter private and
confidential. I cannot guarantee anything uftor tho description
and drawings leave my possession, which they do when I send
them to tho iiaval consulting Board.

4. I cannot grant interviews on matters of this nature,
nor can I take the time to pass an opinion on any devices sub¬
mitted to me for the iiaval Consulting Board.

Yours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Jan. 87th. 1916.

Dear Sir:

I have received your letter in regard to -- -

- i . jf you wish to have your device brought to the atten¬
tion of the naval Consulting Board, you may Bend description and
drawings to me, and 1 will forward the same to the proper committee.
Please observe the following conditions, however;

1. If you wish to protect yourself before sending de¬
scription and drawings, you can do so by filing an application for
United States patent before sending them.

8. You can also partially protect yourself by having your
description and drawings dated and signed by yourself and two wit¬
nesses. In this case, do not send the signed originals, but only
copies.

3. If it is desired to keep the matter private and oon-
fidnntial, I cannot guarantee anything after the description and
drawings leave my possession, which they do when I send them to

the Uaval Consulting Board.

4. I cannot. grant interviews on matters of this nature,
nor can I take the time to pass an opinion on any devices submitted
to me for the naval Consulting Board.

“^ouSBS-vei^'t'rul^',

6. xhe matter of compensation if the idea is used does
not come within the province of 'the naval Consulting Board et all,
and any ideas submitted are at the inventor’s own risk.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

z

Feb. 4th- 19X6.

Dear Sir:

Eeferring to your communication in

regard to - - I to inform

you that I submitted the same with drawings
to the Government Officials. They have returned
the same stating that the Government is unable
to make use of the invention as described. I,
therefore, return your papers to you.

Yours very truly,

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Feb. 4th. 1916.

Mr. Thomas Eobins, Secretary,

Naval Consulting Board of the United State,

13 Paik Kow,

Dew York City.

Dear Mr. Eobins:

In pursuance of Mr. Edison's
instructions, I am enclosing you herewith draw¬
ings and specifications of — - -

. - , which, has been sent to him by Mr -

Mr. Edloon has requested no to send
those to you for ouch attention as you doom necocs-

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Mr. Edison.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Feb. 22nd . 1916.

Dear Sir :

Your recent favor in reference to

together with blue prints, canTe to hand.
Allow me to inform you that I have forwarded
these papers to theAHaval Consulting Board,

Ltn.

0 V

Yours very trulyV

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

1-A-

May 23rd. 1916.

Dear Sir:

I have received your letter in regard to -

_ _ All communications I receive on these subjects

are referred by me to the Haval Consulting Board for reference to
the proper committee if the inventor so desires.

I do not like to retain any communications of this kind
until the inventor has decided what he wishes to do. Therefore,

I return your entire communication pending your decision- Please
observe the following conditions, however;

1. If you wish to protect yourself before sending de¬
scription and drawings, you can do so by filing an application for
United States patent before sending them.

2. You can alBO partially protect yourself by having your
description and drawings dated and signed by yourself and two wit¬
nesses. In this case, do not send the signed originals, but only
copies .

3. If it is desired to keep the matter private and con¬
fidential, I cannot guarantee anything after the description and
drawings leave my possession, which they do when I send them to the
Haval Consulting Board.

4. I cannot grant interviews on matters of this nature,
nor can I take the time to pass an opinion on any devices submitted
to me for the Haval Consulting Board.

6. The matter of compensation if the idea is used does
not come within the province of the Haval Consulting Board at all,
and any ideas submitted ate at the inventor’ b own risk.

Yours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

/- 3

Juno 26th« 1916.

Mr. rnesoy Citney,

778 DoKalh avenue,

Brooklyn. 2.

Boar Bir :

I have roooivod your letter in rogord to a corfoinod reduction
end reversing soar, v;hich any bo applied ith advantago „o light cruioorE,
doctroyors, oto. If you wish to hero your dovico brought to tiio ^ton-
tion of the “aval Consulting Board. I v;ill forward your doBcription end
bluo print to tho proper committee. BIoqejo oboorvo tno io noting con-
ditiona, howovor;

1. If you r;ieh to protoot youroolf boforo oonOing dcccrip-
tion and drawings, you ccn do co by filing an application iOf Dnitod
Stntoo patent boforo Bonding thorn*

2. Hon can alco partiany protect yourself by living your
doacriution and drawings dated and signed by yourself and two witnesses.
In°thiB CM©, do^not send the signed originals, but only copies.

3. If it is ■ deeixod to keep the matter private and confident¬
ial. I cannot guarantee anything after tho description and crawingc
leavo my possession, which they do when I send thorn to the I.aval Con¬
sulting Board.

4. I cannot groat interviews on matters of ^is naturo, nor
can I take tho timo to pass on opinion on any dovicos submitted to rao
for tho Bevel Consulting Board. .

6. She mattor of componsation if tho idea is used does not
come within tho province of tho naval consulting Board at all, and any
ideas submitted ore at tho invontor s own risk.

I shall await tho receipt of your wishes in this mattor.

yours vory truly.

Nav,l Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Subjects -- Ship Equipment (1916)

Thic fniriPr contains notes by Edison relating to his inspection of U.S

ifipsill

communications systems, and "fire control" (gunnery). At the end of the folder
is a table of test firing data collected by Edison.

The following ships and naval officers are mentioned: USSWrgWa

All of the documents have been selected.

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Naval Consulting Board and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence (1917)

These folders contain correspondence and other documents relating to
Edison's role as Chairman (later President) of the Naval Consulting Board
(NCB), as well as to his personal naval research, which began in 1917 shortly
before the United States entered the war. The major problem that occupied
Edison and other inventors was the preservation of merchant shipping
caoacitv in the face of Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare. U-boats
were'sinking cargo tonnage faster than it could be replaced,

Allied ability to continue the war. Research projects undertaken bV Eb's°"
his staff focused on enabling ships to detect and evade torpedoes and t
avoid being detected by the enemy.

Among the correspondents are Miller Reese Hutchison Edborfc chief
engineer and personal representative who served with him on the NCB and
other Board members, including secretary Thomas Robins, Lawrence
Addicks, Leo H. Baekeland, Howard E. Coffin, Hudson Maxim Wffliam L.
Saunders, and Frank J. Sprague. Other correspondents include U S. Navy
officers George E. Burd, Edward W. Eberle, Miles A. Libbey, and Clyde S.
McDowell, as well as the Secretary of the Navy Josephus Dan|e|s, to whom
Edison reported his research results. Among the Edison expermnenters
represented in the documents are Jerry T. Chester. E. Rowland Dawson,
William Deans, Theodore M. Edison, Absalom M. Kennedy, Wilham H.
Knierim Samuel C. Shaffner, Bruce R. Silver, Selden G. Warner, and Heniy
G. Wolfe. Other scientists and engineers who appear as correspondents
include Karl T. Compton, Charles Fabry, Reginald A. Fessenden, Frank B.
Jewett John W. Lieb, Ralph D. Mershon, Ernest Rutherford, and Mina M.
Edam’s brother-in-law, Hubert K. Hitchcock. There is also correspondence
with officials of the Cunard Steamship Co., including attorney Lucius H. Beers
and U S. director T. Ashley Sparks, and with suppliers of equipment and
materials such as John A. Brashear, Ellwood Ivins, and the Julius King
Optical Co. Some of the documents are records of telephone cQnversations
conducted on Edison’s behalf by his personal assistant William H.
Meadowcroft or by office assistant Henry A. Altengarten.

Subjects relating to the NCB include the organization of antisubmarine
warfare efforts, visits by distinguished foreign scientists, and a^mpte to
resolve the dispute over the location of the Naval Research Laboratory.

Subjects relating to Edison's personal research include his summer use of the
USS Sachem at Sag Harbor on Long Island for underwater sound detection
experiments; his work in Washington, D.C., beginning in October; and the
development of various devices by his experimenters, including sulphuric acid
smokescreen shells, aural direction finders, hydrogen detectors, and a
remotely detonated battlefield explosive devised by Theodore Edison. Other
documents concern the use of Fessenden's audion-based oscillator for
submarine detection, requisitions of equipment and supplies from the U.S.
military and private companies, ship defense and submarine evasion tactics.
A small number of unsolicited inquiries or suggestions to which Edison
prepared a draft reply have also been selected.

Approximately 20 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected material consists primarily of unsolicited offers or requests, most
of which received a brief form reply. Other unselected documents include
letters of transmittal and acknowledgment, routine purchases and shipping of
equipment and supplies, multiple copies of outgoing letters sent to many
similar recipients, discussions of staff arrangements (including passes for
access to military sites), copies of technical and strategic reports forwarded
to Edison by other NCB members, routine telegrams exchanged between
Edison's employees, correspondence on expense claims, blueprints, and
oversized maps and charts.

Naval Consulting Board
and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence
January 1917

VATOL CODTSWiaiNG Board

She next meeting of the Haval Consulting Board
will he held on Saturday morning, January 15th, at ten A. U.
in the rooms of the American Institute of Mining Engineers,
29 West 39th Street, Hew York City.

Please mark and return the enclosed blank stating
whether or not you expect jio attend this meeting.

Yours very truly,

Ihomas Robins,
Secretary,
HAVAL COHSUlf 1HG BOARD.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

January 4, 1917

AV

Bear Mr. Edison:

X have Just learned^ through a letter from Mr. Win.
Helleadowcroft that yoa are suffering from a rather
severe oold and have /been strongly advised by your
dootor to remain inidoors for a few days.

I wish to express the hope that you r rugged con¬
stitution will enable you to throw off this indisposition
without further suffering to you or further loss to the
oo untry as the result of your enforced inactivity. It
will be good news to all of us when we hear that you are
back again at your accustomed tasks.

My wife assures my concern for your health and joins
me in kindest regards to you and Mrs. Edison.

Sincerely yours ,

Mr. Thomas Edison, Esq..,
Orange, New Jersey.

'Naval Consulting Hoard

OF IHEiaXfED STATES

At the meeting of the Board on January 13th the following
Resolution >as adopted:

RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the Havy he informed that
the Haval Consulting Board at its meeting held January 13th,
1917. has authorized its Chairman to appoint a special
committee of three, which will he empowered to act,
request of the Secretary of the Havy, with representatives
of the Havy Department in developing the designs and
determining the bo ope and equipment of the experimental
station and resesroh laboratory, and the relations, if any,
of the Board to its operation and management .

In accordance with this Resolution the Chairman, Mr.
Saunders, has named as members of the special committee of three,
Messrs. A. M. Hunt. Chairman, Dr. R. S. Woodward and Mr. Elmer A.
Sperry.

The Seoretary of the Havy has been advised of the
appointment of this oommittee and his instructions are awaited.

Tours very truly,

THOMAS ROBINS.

Seoretary,

HAVAL COHSUIffilHG BOARD.

Ever -Warm Safety- Suit A

(P.tontod to the United Stole., Cenede end Atoned) 0 \T,

THE REAL LIFE PRESERVER fry

L, VON KEVICZKY / ^ t1

11 BROADWAY

January 24. 1917.

nutury xvx t •

ttu

a^Le-rf — i6(t

mding you the chi^s-J'-tX'

I take pleasure in sending you the
enclosed "booklet, just published, believing
you will find it interesting and important.

On ooean liner, yacht, motor boat, coastwise
steamer, in the event of aooident or disaster,
the EVER- WARM SAFETY- SUIT will save you from
drowning and protect you from exposure and its
after effects.

Its guarantee of safety makes a direct
personal appeal to all who travel on water for
business or pleasure. The EVER-WARM SAFETY- SUIT
exhibit and water demonstration will be one of
the big attractions at the Motor Boat Show in
the Grand Central Palace, January 27th to
February 3rd.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

SAFETY
AT SEA

THE

Ever -Warm
Safety-Suit

YOU CAN’T YOU CAN’T

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

The Ever-Warm Safety- Suit

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

call lor help has been sent broadcast over the
ocean, and, a hundred miles away, a steamer
turns about with smoke pouring from her funnels,
while her wireless crackles a message of hope.
You have had barely time to adjust a life pre¬
server, gather a few of your most precious
possessions and scramble up to the tilted deck,
when you find yourself alloat— submerged to the
neck in icy water. Before help can reach you
several hours must elapse— several hours or
exposure such as no human being can lioe
through.

The life preserver may support you, pending
the arrival of help, but it olfcrs no protection
from exposure— it can keep you neither warm
nor dry— consequently you cannot hope to sur¬
vive. The life preserver has failed. fills is
not imagination— it is a proven fact that in ship¬
wreck more lives are lost by exposure and its
after effects than by drowning.

THE REAL LIFE PRESERVER

These facts prove that, in addition to keep¬
ing one alloat, an effective life .saving device must
keep the body warm and dry in water for an
indefinite length of time; it must keep the body
upright with head well out of water; it must be
quickly adjustable and proof against accident that
might render it ineffective; and it should be
compact, light and easy to carry. The Ever-
Warm Safety-Suit is the first and only device
which answers fully all of these requirements.

GUARANTEES ABSOLUTE SAFETY
This Safety-Suit enables you to remain alloat
for an indefinite length of time and to emerge
warm and dry. notwithstanding cold water, rough
sea, and strong wind. It contains a pocket large
enough to carry a canteen and liquid food to last
the shipwrecked 48 hours and more.

It affords abundant space in which to carry
valuables or papers, with the assurance that
they will remain dry and safe, whether in the
pockets of one’s clothing or otherwise placed
within the suit. It is equipped with a shrill
whistle, readily accessible, with which to help
attract the attention of rescuers. It embodies
every device that human ingenuity can suggest
to insure your safety while in the water.

It provides safety and protection to sailors
and travelers, whether on the ocean, on the
Great Lakes— where in gales and storms the
shipwrecked are cast adrift for hours and oUcn
days and nights — on any body of water where
boats capsize, collide, become disabled, or meet
with other accidents which endanger life. \\ ith
this wonderful invention the voyager is safe on
water anywhere, at any time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SUIT
The suit is made in union style, with shoes
and mittens — all in one-piece — completely en¬
closing the body, excepting the head, in u water¬
tight garment of u special quality of absolutely
water-proof muteriul. The head is protected by

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

THE EVER-WARM SAFETY-SUIT IS PROOF AGAINST WATER, WIND, COLD

It is so simply constructed that you can slip
it on in less than n minute without ur.y assistance.
You do not remove your shoes or any of your
clothing. Any man, woman, or child can step
into the suit clothed just as he or she may be at
the moment, close the suit by means of two
clamps attached in a convenient position in front,
snap the safety lock and plunge into the water,
where they will lloat in an upright position, head
and shoulders well above water. A lead sole
in the bottom of each shoe of the suit keeps the
wearer in this upright position, even if exhausted

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

tcction for private papers ami other valuables,
whether in one’s pocket or placed within the suit.

Is light, easy to carry nnd durable. Takes
little room; is packed in a suit case or canvas bat.

Can always be kept at hand’s reach.

Is made of the best material, perfci ' ‘ ‘~

turc. Mechanical nttachmen’-
material are guaranteed.

Is the best and only In
water traveler.

Is reasonable in price;
everybody. . „ ,

You Cannot Drown! You Cannot Chill!

h complete confidence that the Ever-

i, workmanship, and
\ilicy for a

Warm Safety-Suit . is presented UMhc

motor’ boat owners Pand to owiic
craft, of any description and size.

Price list and further details —
upon requef ' - 1 •”* ”’

_ 'cling

... yacht and
rs of all other

ic furnished
In ordering suits for children
and adults, please state weight and height.

Address all letters and make all remittances
payable ti

.. VON Kkviczky

lAmi, Consulting Boaud

'iin

January 37, 1917.

llo^3 luVr^<

Thomas A. Edison, Esq,

srKw m=»

My dear Mr. Edison: w^''

There is, ae you know, to bff a meeting of the <U> t,fcsfe"
American Institute of Mining Engineers, at two o'clock u

on the afternoon of Wednesday the 31st of February, in /
the Engineers Building, New York City, at which meeting «

a paper on the subject of erosion in guns is to be prs-Uirt*-*^4*^"**?
sented by Professor Henry Fay, followed by discussion,.^-,

I have called a meeting of the Committee on . '

Ordnance and Explosives for four o’clock, to oonsider Xlut-iak
the disoussion of the subjeot of erosion and such other . <_
matters as may come before the Committee. 4#,»

Professor Howe, Professor Fay, and Admiral ,v

Strauss, if he be still available, have been invited to "

confer with us, and other experts in steel are expected
to be invited by Mr. Thayer and Professor Riohards.

After the conference with these gentlemen it
is purposed to hold a confidential discussion of the sub¬
jeot of erosion.

f

Although you are not a member of the Committee
on Ordnance and Explosives, I hope that you will be able
to join us on that occasion, and sit in with us at the
Committee meeting, that we may have the benefit of your
counsel.

Faithfully yours,

Chairman, Committee on
Ordnance & Explosives.

On fo

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Naval Consulting Board
and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence
February 1917

ISTA-VY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON,

February 3,1917.

My dear Mr. Edison:

Confirming my authorization for you to employ
twenty-five extra men in your laboratory for im¬
portant Government experiments, it is suggested that
you pay the men yourself and make out the bill to
the Navy Department in one lump sum as follows;

To oonduoting important oonfidential experi¬
mental work for Navy Department as per oonfi¬
dential report made.

This can be covered by a Department requisition
and charged to the laboratory appropriation.

Sincerely yours.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N.J.

Feb.' 3rd, 1917

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Orange, N. J.

My dear Edison:

I enolose you oopies of letters to the War and Navy
Departments. Both 'explain themselves. X am anxious to get baok
the autograph letter from the Seoretary of the British Admiralty
whioh identifies my priority of invention of this type of Submarine
Chaser, whioh is shown in attached dipping.

As I seek no finanoial advantage, and. offer it with¬
out oost to our own and the British Government, you will appreciate
that I only seek to have suoh oredi't'as shall be due me. You who were,
my sohool mate 'in^lg55, and for whom I beoame speoial agent in 186Z,
and after whom I named a son, and one who has intimate reasons for
knowing that I was his friend, oan appreciate why I again' ask you if
you cannot find and return this letter, and if iou also cannot give me
credit for having suggested the idea to you on August 13th, 1915 »

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Natal Consulting Board

OFFICE OF THU SECRETAB

13 Bum Row. New York

February 5 , 1917 .

Ho the members of the llaval Constating Board:

Bear Sirs:

A mooting of the ilaval Consulting Board
has teen called to he held at the rooms of the
American Institute of Mining Engineers, Engineering
Societies Building.^ 29 West 39th Street, Hew York,
at ten o'clock this Saturday morning, February the
10th. There will he at this meeting a discussion
of matters collateral to the present situation.

Very truly yours ,

Thomas Robins , Secretary,
KAVAIi COHSULIIBG EOAHB.

IfATOL CCJFSTOTING ,

OF THE TOTTED STATUS I [,

LAW HIQNOIfl ADD1CK8

tr. Thomas A. Edison, | U. ,

Idison Laboratory, ’ll (j

Irange , B. J.

February 5, 1917.

Bear Sir:

I plan to bring before Saturday’s meeting the following proposal:

In the event of actual conflict with Germany, the naval war will
apparently present the main problem of defense of surface craft against
mine and submarine torpedo attack. We should therefore bring the trained
minds of the country to bear upon the particular problem involved.

As we have nothing to lose under existing conditions by a public
statement of the elements of these defensive problems, and as the average
engineer or scientist totally lacks the specialized information necessary
to enable him to make possibly very valuable suggestions us to their
solution, I suggest:

That a list of definite problems he prepared together with a
concise statement of their scope and limitations, and that tlieso be sent
at once by the Laval Consulting Board to the principal engineering societies
with the request that their general discussion be given a prominent place
at their next meetings and that copies of such discussions he forwarded at
onoe to the Heval Consulting Board.

As an illustration we may take the case of possible means of
war ding off a torpedo approaching a ship. She statement of conditions
should give the range, size, speed, momentum, etc. of torpedoes; a brief
description of the gyroscopic and pendulum steering control; the depth range
of operation; present means of defense by nets, etc.; Btored energy of
explosive in head; any scheme already proposed such as EXEsknm creation of
•pnwflT-fnT wnn-netirt field to throw off course, etc.: and so on. Each
problem could be [boiled down to a single sheet. In addition to the public
discussion any personal written communication would he welcome.

If any latent ideas of value exist, this might he the means of
disclosing them, [and os our enemies would not be conducting a similar
warfare on the djef ensive , the information could do them but little immediate
good.

Very truly yours,

M/gt

1?. B. 8HAW

February 5, 1917.

Mr. Thoraaa A. Edison, Chairman,
Advisory Board tJ. 3. Navy,
Oran £9, H. J.

Bear Mr. Edison:

Now that the menaoe of the German submarine promises to Invade
American territorial waters, would it not he wise to investigate further the
CAMPBELL device for detection, capture and destruction of submerged submarines?

Tou will remanber I exhibited the plans and specifications of this to you In
June, 1915, at Which time you were good enough to examine it and to approve the
principles involved by an autograph memorandum stating your thougit of the prac¬
ticability of the device.

Immediately after my Interview with you I secured audience with
the American representative of the British Admiralty and delivered to hhn collate
nlans and specifications, etc., sinoe which time we have had considerable corres¬
pondence, b£t I have never been able to learn with certainty whether the Campbell
principles were adopted by the British Government or not.

We have good reason for thinking that they were but assume that
for the purpose of absolute secrecy no report haB been made to us and we are
thereforeTwithout knowledge of the faots relating to the adoption and use of the
principles of the device by the British Government or its Allies.

How this letter is for the purpose of placing ourselves on record
as willing and anxious to exhibit to you or your Advisory Board at any time upon
reasonable notice the complete device for looating submerged submarines and tti
m“uaedTor ?heir capture or destruction. I hope to hear from you in relation
to this aubjeot.

With kind personal regards, I a

Tory truly yours.

V

Fobruary C, 1917

Dr. Robt.- G. Reooo,

50 West 52a Stroot,

IJow York, II. 7.

Doar Sir:.

Ploc.se examine thooo two mon ana report
if they will be 0. £. for using Ilonctropin.

Yours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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Na\m. Consuming Board

OFXHKVKITED STAHJS

February 6,

n*

1917

My dear Mr. Edison:

This is to acknowledge the receipt *
of and to thank you for your letter of the 1st instant.
Sorry that you cannot be with us at the Committee meet¬
ing on Ordnance and Explosives, in order that we might
have the benefit of your larger knowledge.

I regret your accident. I do not want to
presume to give you advice or to caution you, but I
will just let drop the remark that should anything hap¬
pen to wink out yuur life at this time and at this stage
of development of the things you have in the making, it
would be a human calamity of such magnitude as though
another Atlantis were to go down under the sea.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, New Jersey.

Mr. W. H. Meadowcroft,

ThomaB A. Edison, Inc.,

Orange, H. J.

Dear Mr. Meadowcroft:

Answering your telephone inquiry of this morning, I
have pleasure in presorting to you herewith for the service
to which you referred Messrs. W. G. Walker and I. M. Stein, of
our Testing Department. I believe that Mr. Edison will

find these gentlemen in every way qualified to undertake the
work he has in mind.

If there is anything further that we can do in this
or any other direction kindly command us.

Sincerely yours, /)

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

New York Office
Hudson Terminal Bdildinos
30 Church Street

Edison Laboratory,
Orange , il. «J.

Atten. j.:r. Wm. H. Ke a dower oft.

Lear Sir:

Referring to your telephone conversation
of even date Kith our i.ir. Reran relative to car¬
bons suitable for use in searchlights, would say
that the Rational carbons seem to bo the only
searchlight carbons which are now available. The
importers of the Electra end the Siemens carbons
advise me that they have none of these on hand.

Our Schenectady factory is shipping to

you today sample carbons

3 - 13/16" by 8-1/2"
3 - 1" by 12"

3 - 3/4" by 7"

3 - 1-1/8" by 12"

3 - 7/8" by 7"

3 - 1-1/4" by 12"

3 - 1" by 7"

as follows:

positive carbons, national
ditto

negative carbons, Rational
positive carbons, Rational
nega tive carbons .Rational
positive carbons, Rational
negative carbons, Rational

We usually have some of all these sizes on
hand at Schenectady. They are made by the Rational
Carbon Co. of Cleveland. .

We hope these samples will serve your pres¬
ent purpose ana shall be glad to be of further ser¬
vice , if possible.

Yours very truly.

February
Eighth
19 17.

Thos. A. Edison,
Orange ,

N.J.

ATTENTION HR. HEADOV/CROFT .

Gentlemen: -

In aocordanoe with telephone
conversation of yesterday and today, we are
sending by your messenger two pairs of our
Dustsafe goggles fitted with S+AZ lenses.

These lenses are a com¬
bination of our Saniweld and Akopos glass and
are partioularly valuable for cutting off the
injurious part of the light from the aoetyiene •
or hydrogen toroh.

These lenses are mounted
in our Dustsafe frames, which will be found
most oomfortable for continuous wear. Cups
may be ventilated by opening or closing ports
at the sides and the distance between lenses
may be altered as required by twisting chain,
which connects them. The fact the cups are
of aluminum will permit of their being bent,
if necessary, to obtain a perfeot seal on the
oheeks.

This goggle is being supplied
to many large users of Industrial Eye Protectors
and is meeting with exoellent success.

We are also sending three
pairs lenses marked to indicate ^
and are sent at your suggestion that they be
submitted for approval. One pair marked
Platweld are such as we have supplied several

Companies for use when melting platinum. One
pair marked Arkweld is of much deeper color
and is usually supplied in combination with
other glass for oar bon or iron aro welding.

The pair marked S+AA are much lighter in
tint and are intended particularly for such
work as outting with acetylene torch or where
it is necessary for the wearer to get a better
view of surrounding objects.

All of these lenses are
supplied with thin oover glasses fitted in
the frame first in order that the more
expensive tinted lenses may he protected from
sparks and heat.

These are being submitted
for your approval with the understanding
that all or suoh parts as you do not require
will be returned to us.

Memorandum is being held
awaiting your requisition after approval.

SPW/ELF

Yours very truly,
JULIOS KINS) OPTICAL CO.

wf.«¥1‘8&K‘Bnion
1 'nigh^Stter^

Orange , -II . J . , Feb. 9,1917 .

r

David Franklin Houston,'

Secretary of Agriculture,

Washington, D. C.

Please have one of your experts
telegraph me at once names of seeds and spores of
flowers weeds and vegetables which are spherical and
smallar in size than mustard seed. If possible,

I would like to have one ounce of each. If you can
supply same please send immediately to my Secretary
W H Meadoworoft. This is for Government rush job.

Thomas. A. Edison.

.V

Orange, H.J., Feb. 9,1917.

VC** v \f‘ \A national Carbon Co, ,

(Y" r)v\ Cleveland, Ohio.

XvNX'L The plates sent me are not of

cv right size. I want several pounds of acousticon

grade of fine grain carbon plates from which I can
cut out various sizes. If you have any pieces from
which I can cut out inch cubes it would answer.

2o save time send me good liberal supply of all
sizes and shapes of this quality of material so
we will not have further delay. Please enclose in
package several electric light carbons about
one-inch diameter. Send whole thing by express
address package my Secretary Iff. H. Headowcroft.

Shis is for Government work and utmost haste necessary.
Get package to express office quickly as possible^and
mark rush, <2 aajmm&t - 1 v.titsot-.

THOS..A EDISOIJ

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

ant 'noi ^ t - j

Orwell cj! d*n<r<*^0^

,.|itv>.Ul„y UA*.I*W<> ' :

<*wj- p1^**

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

February .9,1917.

Sinkoisen & Co., '

135 Viilliani Stroot',

How York, il.Y.

Gontlemon:

Hr.. Edison wishes ao to wri to ana
aok you whothor there is a possibility that
you might have arounfl tho office ono or two
Bmall pieces of atoatite from which ho .could
c^ut cubes of one inch.'

, If you have, he would. be much obliged

if you will sond them to mo for him.

Yours very truly.

Assistant. to Hr. Kdison.

A/2209.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

£-1/0 em 4^)

I'bS’coJL*

Sfaabfc.

- - - - -

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1C- *i 4t

February 9,1917

Capt. James D. lambel,

; Co. F. Flrot Regiment-,

. llowark. il.J.

Dear Sir :- •

X bog to inform you that Ur. Edison
is using Ur. Cnarlos G. Soibort on night and day
work for the United States Government at tho
proeont time, and I 'do not knowhow long this -
spocial employment trill last. I presipe that
under these oircamstonces he may be excused from
ordinary dnljland duty.

-Yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

lest Department,
92 Vandam Street,
February 9, 1917.

Mr. W. H. Meadoworoft,

Thomas A. Edison Co.,

Orange, N.J.

Dear Sir

This will introduce Mr. Henri Lauer of our
Testing Department who has been instructed by Mr. lieb
to report to you to assist Messrs. Walker and Stein
in accordance with your telephone conversation with
Mr. lieb.

Very truly yours ,

Chief of laboratory.

AM-MCH

| H&r-ncM. . V . - . . - . -

Q/V*\ <£-v> Tcui£> cy^r/tMf'Ki-'vvia/Vof*. ^<(t2.0« uvv\e,wfcT.

T

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National. Carbon Company

CI,BVK1^VND. OHIO. .

Tbos A Edison
Mr W H Meadooro:
Orange H J

February 10th 1917

(A.* L — •&>

Y**i

H

uii« Ut<’

* a*#**-** 4

Gentlemen:

We have your tellegram of the 9th and an ,

sorry to note that the oarbon plates sent you per Kf/.O,
our letter of the 7th were not the right size. The /££/£
oarbon contact plates used in the ^ 3/4" 1 /

.1.. the thin polished transmitter discs 1/S to 3/4
diam. not^e^han l/l6» thick used in telephone
transmitters are a speoial hard close grain stock
which we do not regularly manufacture in the larger
sizes. However, we are having our factory make up
a oolleotion of molded oarbon blocks from whioh Y°u
can out 1" oubes and will send these by express tod y.

We wil? also include samples of our Grade fOO oarbon
rentes 4-7/8 x 3-7/8 x 1" and oarbon rods 1” diam. x 13
long duplicating as nearly as possible the material used
in arc light oarbons.

On receipt will be pleased to have you examine and
t^st these and if you will advise us the exact size
and shape of the oarbons you deoide to and the
quantities in which you would order shall be pleased
to submit prices based on your requirements.

Awaiting your further advices with interest, we are,

V

%

1

Mr. Wm. H. Medowcroft.

Thomas A. Edison, Inc.,

Orange , N. J. ' j '

Dear Sir : -

We have your letter of the 9th and are sending
you a sample piece of a variety of Steatite which we
hope may meet requirements.

Yours very truly,

ZIHKEISEK & CO. ,

y

V.7, HM? ^

‘■ -zA-

./C/

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON

February 10, 1917.

Mr. Thoraaa A. Edison,

Orange, New Jersey.

Bear Mr. Edison:

In response to your telegram of February 9th requesting
names of seed spherical in shape and smaller in size than mus¬
tard seed, we telegraphed you Friday as follows:

"English charlock turnip and turnip rape
seed spherical and smaller than mustard send¬
ing sanqilea to W. H. Ueadowcroft".

This telegram is confirmed herewith.

The samples referred to were forwarded February 9th
by mail as stated in our telegram.

Very truly yours,

Secretary.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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X<^<LO-vj.d

(X i r n<£ /? (‘P'-z-n hjjC

lt/Cc-j kJL«p-wc ^uOt-'-cc-fArC^ tcP- cc-tc-p-

'3^-® C^v^i> co'tc, t/f cx-t^c^ i

^ (vcc^T^ Lw £_

hi et^u> ,7 '

n^j7i/v>r

February 12,1917

national Carbon Company ,

Cleveland, Ohio.

Gentleraon: Attention Ur. 1. ff. Stowe. ■

-four favor of the loth Instant has
boon r'ocoivcd and shown to iir. Edison. Ihe
carbon plates have not yot como to hand, but
Ur. Edison wishes mo to say ho 1g glad tha>.
you will help himooat with those blocks of
fine grain :• carbon like that usod by tho acoub—
ticon.

• niose aro ontiroly-for experimental
work requested by tho Government, so .that, it
is not an ordinary commercial transaction,

yours very truly.

'Assistant to iir. Edison.

A/E21G.

February 12,1917.

United States Bureau of Fisheries,

Department of Coramorce, --

Hugh II. Smith; Esq., Commissioner,

Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:- ■ '

Have you a spare easing for holding an
incohdosoent lamp for sinking in the soa to with¬
stand' the water presBuro? I an making Government
e:rporimonto and moy want to get loan of ono for
. several weeks. "

Yours very truly.

A

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

K9-»^ . lu) ■

1^x3.

/Ufc u|- 'Cfv3=-Oj fcct-O^ c*. <Q-j^C

^£C-*u^V<j

V

<.« cfXcJtC-iof

t Auov^ V^- 'C?* <L

C^COOji

- -fttSST .— - - - 1 . .

xu.cc ,4

- -Jot CM

c <x< x . l,t<'1

fvcuJ .‘UAoy^of . t o <fl£dt 4 <?:«*'*'■' rC£

^'tcfij ^ f /<- W*4

2NY H 60- ML

HOT SPRINGS VA FEB 12-17
THOS A EDISON ORANGE Nd

AM VERY 80RRY THAT I CANNOT SEND YOU AMPLIFYER TUBE

NOW AS AM MOVING AND EVERYTHING IS PACKED UP AND

CANT FIND ANY APPARATUS UNTIL IN NEW LABRATORY WESTERN ELECTRIC

CO THAT IS AMERICAN TEL AND TEL CO VACUUM RELAY

AND ELECTRIC CONNECTION PROBABLY TOE BEST ALSO BELIEVE GENERAL

HAVE ONE BOTH BETTER THAN AUDION 80RRY TO DISAPPOINT YOU.

COOPER HEWITT

ELECTRIC

42# AM

pws'* ;
' VLL

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
BUREAU OF STANDARDS
WASHINGTON

February 13, 1917

Thomas A. Faison,

Edison -f «« ' >'«U

Orange. . _

Hy dear I'.r. Faison: ^ ^

In reply to your telegram of ^todapr,^

that we have some invar rod 8 savin dikiwjte^ and_ we, wbuld.

>o*Co 9*«7 ,

he pleased to spare you a few feet. _J?le:
quantity as small as possible, asy/e have
left. Y.'e have a strip 8.5 era wide, 3 mra thick, and'
two or three meters long. Y?e could spare a quantity
of that. If any of this will answer your purpose
would be pleased to send you the material.

Lease fake^ihe r=

h

1-

Just previous to the outbreak of the liar, the
Liidvale Steel Company tool: up the question of invar
and made some excellent samples. ”’e made the measure¬
ments for them and did everything we could to assist
them in order to secure its manufacture in this country.

It would be well to confer with them regarding this mat¬

erial, as they may have some on hand.

With kindest regards, I remain.

Very truly yours,

February 13

Dr. s. iV. Stratton,

Director, Bureau of Standards ,

Washington, D. C.

My dear Dr'. Stratton:

Allot; no to thank you

very much 'for 'your prorapt roeponso to ny telo- v
gram of yesterday,-

I supposed that you hod a quantity
of invar in stock and that yon could spnro no
a little. 1 will not deprive you of any, as
I can aake my rods out of procelain shaped by
dianond tools.' - - .

With kind regards, I remain.

Yours very truly.

A/2218,

£5 S/%i'ce-i£

" J&a^&r£

Mr. Thomas A .Mi son,

Edison Laboratories,

Orange,?*, j.

near sir :-

We have radium, salts of the highest purity also
other salts impregnated in several proportions into sine
sulphide to be used on. ©lochs, compasses, rush buttons, i-i-dicst
ing 'devices etc. etc., of grades specified" bv the United 'state
Government.

Radium salts as well as the self luminous compound
are standardized on their radium element content after
Tntemat(bnal standards, used also by the United states c-overr
mentjbut not on the base of their strength to the vropovtior
of Uranium Oxide, however, their comparison to Uranium paist
would be a matter of computing solely.

ln reference to your roquestfor the loan of certai
tubes, if yin;, are wording on the illumination of apparatus fo
governmental use we will be glad to famish wii wit* semtle
tubes of permanent phosphorescent compounds, ^cr'tairin'' "rsdiu:
in the different grades as specified by the United, 'state* '
Government; if, on the other hand, you desire pure radium salt
for other purposes we car. let you have radium salts in solut
or crystal form, in any purity desired for the particular pur
pose you may have in wand.

■If at any time we can assist you. bv a personal
vis-it we *r».u. be glad to anafce an arr ointment e-«*ber w»*> vcw
or scry representative that you might a?i*.-.o-»n.t. * ;

trusting to have the pleasure of‘se”v'ng v0u

RADIUM IdVJHOUS Jti.rWRTJLR f!nPr>OP»mrn-

% «4^/o ... . &-Zl,€>L -

1>

( aMejL-

'^ui J testr
w^'— •• •

_ Q&t,\ — $£’C~ &t

navy depabtmbnt,

WASHINGTON,

February 14, 1917.

My dear Mr. Edison:

Referring to your telegram requesting
permission to mate use of the light ships off Sandy Hook
and Scotland light, I enclose a copy of a letter from the
Secretary of Commerce that will explain to you what is
necessary.

Wishing you success in your investigations, be¬

lieve me

Sincerely yours,

(Enclosure)

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, H. J.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

DEPARTMENT OP COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary.

Washington .

February 13 , 1917 .

Sir:

Referring to your letter dated February 12, 1917,
(S-Lu), requesting that permission be granted to Mr.

Thomas A. Edison, President of the Naval Consulting
Board, to make use of the light vessels off Sandy Hook
and Scotland light fo’r the purpose of making experiments
that will be of value to the Navy, you are respectfully
informed that the desired permission is hereby granted
so far as the work contemplated will be done v/ithout
interference with the operation of the vessels as aids
to navigation. It is requested that Mr. Edison communi¬
cate directly with the Lighthouse Inspector at Tompkins-
ville , New York, who has been advised in this matter, as to
suoh details as may be necessary.

Respectfully,

(Signed) William C. Redfield
Secretary.

The Secretary of the Navy,
Washington, D. C.

CaffSiJmNG Board

or TI1E UNITED STATES

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Laboratory,

Orange, B. J.

February 14, 1917.

Dear Sir:

The enclosed letter has been prepared by the
Committee on Special Problems after consultation with and
approval by Secretary Daniels. It is desired to send
this confidentially to a very select list of men who have
had training or experience fitting them to have ideas on
technical problems of this character and who are of
unquestioned loyalty.

Will you kindly nominate not more than ten
names to be put upon the list from which those to be
invited will be seleotedf

Your immediate reply is requested.

LA/gt

Committee on Speoial Problems.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

HAVA1 COESULTIHG BQAED

Mr. A. S. C.

In the belief that your special knowledge may enable yon to con¬
tribute some helpful suggestions , your attention and cooperation are invited
in connection with the following technical problems, which will be of vital
import in the event of this country's entering the threatened war:

A. Deteotion of Submarines,

B. Annihilation of Submarines after Deteotion,

0. Defeat of a Torpedo in Slight.

While these questions are primarily of a military nature, and
therefore possibly outside your immediate experience, military knowledge is
not necessary to their solution as pure scientific problems. For your
confidential information the following brief statement is made of matters
bearing on the subject:

A. Submarines when fully submerged are totally blind and
helpless as offensive weapons. They are not deaf and dumb however, as
means of underwater communication have been developed.

Submarines cannot safely exoeed 180 feet submergenoe, on
account of oompressive strains. If the bottom is too deep for support
they must keep in motion to maintain the desired degree of submergenoe.

Four knotB an hour are required for steerage way. At rest on the bottom
they may remain submerged a couple of days.

A periscope is about five inohes in diameter and extends
sever ql feet above the water when the submarine is hunting prey. The
range of vision is limited by the low elevation and at night the periscope
is useless.

TorpedoeB can be launched by the submarine without emerging

-1-

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Ihree principal means of detecting submarines are available;

(a) Detection of periscope by lookouts with marine glasses, (b) Detection of
fully or partially submerged submarines by aeroplane scouts, (c) Detection
of moving submarines by application of underwater signalling devices.

(a) As the range of vision from the bridge of a ship is
greater than from the perisoope of a submarine, the former has the
opportunity of first discovery and escape by superior speed. Even a
submerged submarine leaves a perceptible wake.

(b) Under proper conditions of water and bottom submarines
are clearly apparent to aeroplanes even when the former lie at considerable
depths. Ihis method is subject to many limitations in the matter of
conditions, however.

(c) She peculiar noises of submarines in submerged operation
are clearly distinguishable by submarine microphones and similar apparatus
stationed several miles away. She use of two or more stations enables
their location by triangulation, or moving sanatoons can tactically follow
the scent by means of their own microphones.

B. A submarine is a very weaELy constructed vessel. A shot
will readily pierce it, but unless fired at a considerable angle a shot
enters the water but a short distance before it ricochets. She detonation
of a powerful explosive under water even at considerable distances from a
submerged submarine will start its seams or break hard rubber battery jars,

either damage forcing an emergence.

Various net devices either with or without attached mines

are used to entrap submarines.

Oil has been spread upon the water with the view of olouding
the periscope. This method has been only partially successful.

0. A torpedo is a slender meohanioally propelled water projeotile

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

oarrying in its head a high explosive charge which is detonated hy contact
with any obstacle to its flight. It may he launched either above or
below the surface of the water by a small charge of powder or by compressed
air. It is driven by a high speed engine and propel lor, nsing heated
compressed air, has a range of several miles, and for the pnrposes of this
disonssion its speed may be taken at 28 knots an honr. It is steered
horizontally by a rudder controlled by a gyroscope which is set in motion
by the act of launching, and vertically by a rudder controlled by a pen¬
dulum and depth diaphragm so that dven if thrown off its course by any
means it will accurately resume it provided the mechanism is undamaged.

A torpedo is usually sent in a horizontal plane ten or
fifteen feet below the surface. It leaves a distinct wake due to the
escaping air. When seen in time a fast moving ship can evade it by

suitable steering manoeuvers.

A properly designed net is an effective defense for an
anchored ship, but various cutting and explosive devices are mounted in tor¬
pedoes to overcome this obstruction, and nets are not practical for moving
ships .

If you have any ideas to contribute to the cause of national
defense to supplement those already confidentially in the hands of the Havy
Department, please communicate the fact at once to the Secretary, Haval
Consulting Board, 13 Park How, Hew fork City. If sufficient favorable
replies axe received a conference will be called to which those stating their
desire to participate will be invited.

Your immediate consideration is requested.

Very truly yours,

(signed) Lawrence Addioks,

Chairman,

Committee on Special Problems,
HAVAL COHSULIIBG BOARD.

oocanunice.ted with by telegraph and the commanding officer has just
advised that there is no submarine lamp on board. I was naturalist
on the vessel about 1900 and the only lamps in use at that time were
similar to those supplied to navy divers, suitable for immersion to
moderate depths. The only reference to your lamp which I can find in
the Bureau's records is enclosod. A description of a low candle power
lamp with battery, used to a depth of 1000 meters, may be found in
Bulletin de Uuaee Ooeanographique No. 242, 1912. This paper can be
sent to you if you wish.

Very truly yours,

Deputy Commissioner.

Enclosure.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Copy.

Extracted from Report of Commissioner of FiBh and Fieheriee for 1883,

Deep-sea Lamps.

Our deep-sea cable is 940 feet in length and ia coiled upon a
reel, from which it may paid out to any depth within that limit. The
lamps are according to Edison's patent, hut the wires simply extend
through the bottom of the lamp, the endB being free. We solder those
wires to our oable, insulate with gutta-percha, tape, and “insulation
compound." The lamps are of about 42 ohme resistance and are about
16 oandlepower. The lamps burn quite well under water and can be
seen very plainly at moderate deptho, but they disappear entirely
when 70 feet below the surface. We have had the deep-sea lamp down
about 750 feet.

Speoial Apparatus for Mr. Edison

Western Electric Company,

' MR. THOMAS A. EDISON, //

o/o Thomas A. Edison, Ino., /" • \

lakeside Avenue, / s) ■% ' )

T/ost Orange, ( /) 1/ J

Nov/ Jersey. I ' /

My dear Hr. Edison: y _ ^

Following Mr. Carty's instructions. Hr. ColpittB talked with you
Monday afternoon regarding various pieces of apparatus which you would like
us to furnish you. As our offices and laboratories were closed on Monday,

able to send it to you until Tuosday afternoon. As Mr. Colpitts nau sug¬
gested to your Mr. Headowcroft, we sent with this apparatus Hr. R.C.Mathes
of this department, who is very familiar with the types of apparatus in ques¬
tion, and oan explain better than I can do in any letter just what each piece
of apparatus is capable of doing. To faoilltate any reference to this appara¬
tus whioh you may wish to make in the future, I am listing below the material

1 30-mile receiver shunt
1 Y/-192 coil (600,000-900 ohms]

1 Y/-187 ooil (600,000-6000 ohms)

1 V/-188 ooil (6000-2000 ohms)

1 W-149 ooil (7500-1000 ohms)

1 #47-A ooil (700-700 ohms)

1 V/-225 ooil (16-7400 ohms)

2 #157 receivers with cords
1 Vf-128 receiver with cords

3 #47-A plugs with cords
1 amolifior set

4 type "l" tubes - #16716, #16331, #16274, #16264.
4- type "V" tubes - #15344, #15342, #14982, #11417.

Kr.C.A. Edison

The asplifior in the list above oontaino the following pieces of

apparatus:

1 Shompson-ievoring special 600,000 ohm potentiometer

2 vaouum tube sockets

1 4" Columbia dry cell

1 special #43-A retardation coil

1 4-ohm battery rhoostat

2 Eveready 763 dry cells (9 v. )

2 #21-K condensers (1 mf.)

12 48000-ohm lavite resistances mounted on board

1 # 44— B retardation coil

3 #218 jaoks in iron mountings

4 double Fahnestock clips

7 single Fahnestock clips

I am glad to be able to furnish this apparatus, and trust that you
will feel free to call upon us if you noed any additional material in this
connection.

Referring to the matter of a mechanical draughtsman, I am not sure
that we properly intorproted your desiros in the matter, but we havo selected
Mr. J. Gargan, whom we know to be perfectly roliable and whom wo consider as
most likely to be capable of handling the work that you had in mind for him.

GI

■ , . February 15,1917

Hon. 1). F. Houston, Secretary,

• Department of Agriculture ,

■- Washington, D. 0.

Dear Hr. Houston:

Alio" me to than!: you for your
very pro my t attention of our telegram of the 9th
instant. ' I havo received tho coeds which you
do kindly sent, ana an experimenting with thorn
for the Govornnont in directions other than agri¬
culture . .

Yours very truly.

A/2235

, 1’obruary lb, 1917.

Kadiun Luminous Material Corporation,

16G Aldon Street,

Orange, II. J.

Gontlomon:

I liavo rocoi'ved your favor of tho
15th instant, and an very glad to hayo the
information therein- contained. Lot no alco
thank you for your Irind offering to cone
over and cco mo personally. Should .the oeca-
eion arino, I chnll' gladly avail myself of
your kindnesa.

Mr. Moiotor handed mo the tube
v.hieh yon so kindly lot mo have, end it is
boing ucod nith vory satisfactory rosultc.

Youi'o vory truly.

A/2226.-

Uy dear Dr. Jewott :

February 15,1317.

Allow me to acknowledge
receipt of your favor of the 14th InBtant,
and to express my sinooro appreciation of
the prompt and efficient cooperation that
has been extended by you and your associates
within the last few days.

Che apparatus which you kindly
sent over has been very helpful in my in¬
vestigations-, and I shall take you at your
word if it is nooossary to ask for the use
of othor apparatus while we are working for
our Uncle Sara.

I am glad to say that the gentle¬
men you sent over, Ur. Uathes and Ur. Gargan,
have been a very considerable help to me.

•jours very truly.

A/2221,

National Carbon Company

February 15th 1917

MAflK REPLY NCC

FILE CC-26-14

Mr Thos A Edison
Orange N J

Dear Mr. Edison: -

Governor Herrick's office has just telephoned me that you
are having some trouble obtaining experimental material from us in con¬
nection with some work you are carrying on for the government. I have taken
up the matter with our specialty department here and find that all of your
requests received up-to-date have been given reasonably prompt attention and
if there is something which we have missed or have not received, I will be
glad to have your secretary advise ms promptly and I assure you we stand
ready to co-operate to the fullest limit.

In order that you may check up your records with ours, I wish to state that
under date of February 6th we received a telegram requesting express shipment
of a few plates of carbon for transmitters ■£' thick, same grade as used by
the Acouaticon Co.' We made shipment of a half dozen samples on day following.
We could not make Bhipment on the same day wire waB received as the express
companies had already called at our works and departed.

February 9th, we received your long telegram indicating that you wanted samples
from which you could cut 1" cubes. My assistant gave this his personal
attention and assembled a conglomeration of different specimens of carbons
you mi^it require in your experimental work and we were able to make shipment
of this on the 10th, the day following receipt of your telegram. We have an
acknowledgement from your assistant under dote of the 12th stating the goods
had not yet arrived. This shipment went via Adame Express and if for any
reason has not as yet reached you, please wire us and we will make life
miserable for the Express Co.

February 10th, we received a telegram from you requesting quarter lb. each
of transmitter balls in several sizes. This telegram was signed by M. R.
Hutchinson. We made shipment of this sample lot on same day telegram was

We are always at your service.

No.

Copy

United States Navy Yard,

NEW YORK. N. Y.

February 15, 1917.

From:

To:

Industrial Manager .

Commander Submarine Flotilla,
Atlantic Fleet.

Subject: Mr. Thomas A. 3dison, President, Consulting Board,
requests data relative to submarines.

1. Mr. Thomas A. Edison, President, Naval Consulting Board,
has requested this yard for a list of casualties to submarine
engines compiled from the logs of as many submarines as possible
for a period of one year, tabulating the number of times each
casualty has occurred, in order that an idea of tile relative
need of improvement along specific lines may be made.

As there are no logs of submarines available at this
yard, it is requested that this information be supplied by
the Flotilla Commander in as much detail as practicable with
comment as to whether or not a better grade of material, an
entirely different material more suitable to the condition to
be met, or a change of design, is desired.

S. It is requested that this matter be considered urgent and
that the correspondence be forwarded through, or a copy supplied
to, this yard. ,

(sgnd) G. 3. Burd.

Copy to Mr. H. Meadowcrof t .
For his information.

}e6 >C > t^tf

Mr. n. Gornoback, Pros . .

She Excel* imontcr publishing Co.,

*233 Pulton Street,

. Hob York, ii.Y.

Hear Mr. Gornsbaek:

I ora in receipt of your favor,
of the 14th instant, and thank you for your prompt¬
ness in Bonding catalogue of tho Electro Importing
Co. It has not como yot, hut I suppose Bill roach
me in the noxt mail. ’

I am sorry" that bo have had to dplay tho
interview, hut the fact' is. Mr. Edison is busy on
Government work and is working about 20 hours a day
just nor:. Ho will not make any appointments at all
for tho present, but let mo suggest that you call .
me up twice a wcok, and' I will try and get’ the
interview for you specially.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Mr. Edison.

February 18,1917.

Meat. Ilorrie,

Building i!o. 22,

U. S.- Ilavy Yard,.

Brooklyn, II. 7.

Doar Sir:,-*

Wo ate returning to a ay two er.ipty
carboys which contained bob water. Chose are

going by Express prepaid.

Hr.. Edison would liko to huve come
noro Sandy Hook osa wator at your early con-
vouionco . . "

Yours vory truly,

Aosiotant to Ur. Edison!

A "

Utjrlt»811«a 26 TO

H,'V«W Yttfc Jrt 16 19iV

Han . Thaaas A B*iaan

Orange TT.J.

THeugart*n C««Pp«t has hean jwape* a* Trlt>r,beth feet
yaw shawl* kaT« what yeu want whan yaw went It,
▼lthawt asking far ltj affeetienate greetings
Iiyren T Harriot.

209 Main St., Orange, N.J.
Phora, Orange 200 L 6478,

February 16th, 191 7.

RDU/F

Hr. Thomas A. Edison,

Lewellyn Park. Hew Jersey.

Dear Ur. Edison:

Enclosed please find draft of a circular letter
which i3 about to be issued to the members of the engineering
profession asking them to bring their influence to bear x»
favor of the Bill reported out of the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs last Saturday. This circular letter is to
De signed by a number of engineers of prominence, and I am very
desirous of including your name amongst them. Thin matter is
s0 important, and your name will carry so much weight, that
■very much hope that you will consent to our using it.

Amongst those who have already authorised the

• m J Arnold. W. V. U. Goss, Alexander
use of their names are. B. J. Arnold ,

C. Humnhreys , A. >1. Hunt. Charles F. Hand, William Barclay
Parsons, John F. Stevens. George F. Swain. J. Waldo Smith,

W. J. Wilgus. L. B. Stillwell, W. H. Wiley.

Mr. Sperry was kind enough to say he would

telegraph you in regard to this matter last night.

Whatever your decision is in this matter wil
you be kind enough to let me hear from you as soon as possible
as preparations have all been made amd the letter will pro a y
'-e gotten out within the next two days.

Very (EruljL

Enclosures

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

February 1917.

To tne Members of the:

AJtSRI C AH SUCIiSTf OF CIVIL EHGI1JEKUB, W.Sn
AMiUUCAU 1II3X1 TUTJS OF KlHIliG BKCIHBEB3, '*

Aiitsaiuxa social* of kbchaiiical ^moikskro, tn tv
AKBiUOAH IMU'i'I TUTS OF JOJICTRICAL iitJOIHKKRS, « t
AlhSRICAH 1H3X1TUXB OF C01I3ULTIH0 JSiWircSElVJ. Jf htun»-

Gentlemen:

On February 10th of this year the Chamberlain
Bill providing for Compulsory Universal Military ana Uavnl Train¬
ing and Service was reported out of the Senate Committee on
Military Affairs and is now before the United States Senate,
iinclosed herewith is a brief statement of the essential features
of the Rill.

We know most engineers realise that compulsory
training and service are not only desirable but absolutely
necoaoary for the welfare and safety of our country. He feel
sure that those of you who are not already firmly of that con¬
viction will become eo after having given the subject a little
careful thought.

Relieving that all of you are not only ready
but anxious to render mieh service to our country os liec within
your power, the undersignod oarneutly request that each of you
send personal letters, or telegrams, to the Representatives from
your Bi strict, and to each of the two Senators from your 3tato,
to the following effect: - but preferably in your own language.

I urgently request you to support and vote
for Senate Bill a-1695, reported by Senator Charaborlnin
February 10, 1917, providing for compulsory military and
naval training und service, preferably with such modifi¬
cation of it as may be recommended by the Oenerql Staff
of the Army ana the General Board of the Havy.

In miking this request we are acting as indi¬
viduals, ana not as official representatives of the Bocioties.

If

IF

n

m

fri

v'tiS

if

ii|».

^§s* 14

te

s Pi
V

ft

h

r

Hi

dU'*

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Kach of us is, however, a member of one or more of the societies
addressed, and we urge prompt action of our follow members of the
engineering profesoion.

It is your imlA-VidJUil. CLClian. that wc particularly

ask in this matter.

In addition to the above, we urge each of you
to pledge at least five other peroono to take similar action.

Uo not hesitate to act through a feeling that
your efforts will not be effective, nothing will exert so
powerful an influence on Senators and Hepreoentativen as let¬
ters and telegrams from voters, and those who can influence
votes, in their districts.

Time is the essence of this matter . >Ve earnestly

request that you act promptly.

Very truly yours,

(Here insert signatures)

P.O. fou can obtain the name of the Congressman from your
district and the two United States Senators from your State by
telephoning any of the following:

Any of the Political Clubo or other Political Organiza¬
tions in your vicinity.

In Towns and rural districto:.
four local newspaper,
four Postmaster.

i in your district.

NOTE: As an indication of the effectiveness of this appoal.it
will be helpful to those responsible for it if, after acting

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

upon it, you will send a brief statement of the extent to which
you huve done so to Ralph U. Mernhon, 80 J.'aidon lane, Row i'ark
City.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

To the Members of the February, 1917.

American Society of Civil Engineers,

American Institute of Mining Engineers.

American Society of Mechanical Engineers,

American Institute of Electrical Engineers,

American Institute of Consulting Engineers.

On February 10th of this year the Chamberlain Bill providing for Compulsory Universal Military and
Naval Training and Service was reported out of the Senate Committee on Military Affairs and is now before
the United States Senate. Appended hereto is a brief statement of the essential features of the Bill.

We know most engineers realize that compulsory training and service are not only desirable but abso¬
lutely necessary for the welfare and safety of our country. We feel sure that those of you who are not already
(irmly of that conviction will become so after.having given the subject a little careful thought

Believing that all of you are not only ready but anxious to render such service to our country as lies
within your power, the undersigned earnestly request that each of you send personal letters, or telegrams, to
the Representative from your district, and to each of the two Senators from your State, to the following
effect, but preferably in your own language:

7 urgently request you to support and vo/e for the plan covered by Senate Bill S-1695, reported by Sena¬
tor Chamberlain February 10, 191 7, providing for compulsory military and naval training and service; preferably
rvith such modification of it as may be recommended by the Ceneral Staff of the Army and the Ceneral Board
of the Navy.

In making this request we ate acting as individuals, and not as official representatives of the societies.; Each
of us is, however, a member of one or more of the societies addressed, and we urge prompt action of our fel¬
low members of the engineering profession.

It is your individual action that we particularly ask in this matter.

In addition to the above, we urge each of you to pledge at least five other persons to take similar action.

Do not hesitate to act through a feeling that your efforts will not be effective. Nothing will exert so
powerful an influence on Senators and Representatives as letters and telegrams from voters, and those who can
influence votes, in their districts.

Time it the essence of this matter. We earnestly request that you act promptly.

Very truly yours.

Bion J. Arnold W. F. M. Goss Ralph D. Mershon Jno. F. Stevens

W. F. Durand Alex. C. Humphreys Wm. Barclay Parsons L. B. Stillwell

Thomas A. Edison A. M. Hunt M. I. Pupin Geo. F. Swain

J. D. Galloway E. C. Jones Charles F. Rand W. H. Wiley

Geo. W. Coethals W. S. Lee J. Waldo Smith W. J. Wilcus

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Essential Features of Senate Bill, S-1695

1. EVERY MAN at age of 19 ahall be trained in camp or on a naval vessel for six months.

EXCEPTION _ First year the Act goes into effect there shall be only three months' training.

EXEMPTIONS— Members of Regular Army and Navy, those physically unfit, and those support-

. ing dependents.

2. CREDIT to be allowed a person who has completed elsewhere a cotirse of military instruction ap¬
proved by the Secretary of War. or the Secretary of the Navy. Credit to consist of deduction from the training
period of not more than one month for each year of such approved course; provided, that in no case shall train¬
ing period be reduced by such credit to less than three months.

3. NO SUBSTITUTE (personal or money) will be accepted.

4. CERTIFICATES of training to be issued.

5. DIVISION of United States into districts, each to have at least one place of training.

6. PREFERENCE of those to be trained as to kind of training and time of year for training to be
considered as far as practicable.

7 THOSE TRAINED COMPOSE, until they reach the age of 28, Reserve Citizen Army and
Reserve Citizen Navy, and are subject to call in case of defensive war or imminent danger thereof, but not for
strike duty.

8 OFFICERS to consist of Regular Army and Navy Officers, detailed for the purpose, and of officer,
appointed from applicants for such appointment who have had military training and have passed the prescribed

9.. NO LIQUOR OR TOBACCO to be raid in training camp or on board ship.

February 17,1017.

iir.. Ralph D. Llorehon,

Consulting Dnginoor,

00 li-iden Loive,
lie's York, li.lt.

Dear Iir. Her short:

I havo received your favor of
tho lGth instant, in which you ad: porraieslon
to ueo ray namo to tho circular letter about to
be iesuod to tho mombor of tho engineering pro¬
fession, asking thon to bring their influonco
to boar in favor of tho Bill reportod out of tho
Bona to Committeo on Military Affairs lest Satur¬
day.

r’Mr- letter ie intondod as an authori¬
zation to yon to add my nano to those v.hon you
mention as having consented to tho uso of their
names on tho circular lottcr onclosod with your
favor of the 16th instant.

Yours very truly.

a/E£65.

fttUt. Cist-n

Engineers , ,?0 "Cg?

'tsTHtiesrern

X hope you can see your way clear to
help the passage of the Chamberlain Training Bill.
Independently of any War prospects, this education
of our young men will be of immense benefit to
our industrial efficiency, as young men now-a-days
are deteriorating.

Yours very truly,

- J. £UvV L^Ccl V| c>rV*„(!fc^< :.. . .

\i^WccnJU, . .A. . :.

_ UJli^mj A)±a£d I t _ .( Lvri0%y^^ . _y ;. .

ft*w.

ivc ,u>>Ae4v 4-f<-c^(fv yc<-*?£vu> u?a^-oO

6^, OH /CcLv<r«^M^O-q<, l/lp't^c^r^-
... At-cridr ic>-otxA<j q^-*~cJ!kj

t^^n-^AA^^ucrvvi cm) "to £or\.&- (_2>

^Jr»>HL . 5 Ciru.o3 .

. ^vcoJ^x- £L<p-ivW-

JVatol Co^sultmg B§»

OF TIIK UNITED StfflES

airman. -

'HEWITT

jndeb8.i>man OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

13 Park Row, New York

February 19, 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

laboratory, Orange, H. J.

Dear Sir:

The following papers are enclosed herewith:

1. Patent Ho. 1,209,680 of Patrick B. Delaney for means

of detecting presence of submerged metallic bodies.

2. Specification describing another device for a

somewhat similar purpose.

3. Illustration of device last referred to.

Duplicates of all these papers have already been
referred to the committee of the Board on Special Problems of
which Mr. Addicks is Chairman, but Mr. Saunders suggested that
as you are perhaps working on similar lines the papers might
be of some interest to you, and they are therefore enclosed.

Respectfully yours,

fx'jAtz'h.

NAVAL CONSULTING BOARD.

Encs.

February 19,1917,

Hon. Josephus Daniole,

Vfachington, D. 0.

. Hy doar l!r. -Danlole:

Vjt. IJdieon is a little bit
^nxioas' to knov; whether you aro receiving hie
■ reports. 2he ono herewith oncloood is number .
six. Kill you kindly advice, sic uhothor they
’have ail been received, and nay up trouble you
to sond an acknovlodrmont o£ each one by number,
. ’ Youre vory truly, .

Aseictunt to. Ur. Hdieon.
A/l28G. ' ■ ■

Feb. 19, 1917.

Hon. lease Bacharach,

House of HepresentativeB,

Washington, D. C.

Dear Sin

I hope you can see your say clear to help the passage
of the Chamberlain Training Bill. Independently of any War
prospeots, this education of our young men will be of lmnense
benefit to our Industrial efflo ienoy*- as young mon now-a-days
are deteriorating.

fours very truly,

- Apparatus for Mr. Edison

Western Electric Company,

.incorporated.* .

««v: ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

fxicrrMaiNccn 403 WEST STREET

NEW YORK ’ February 19 f 1917.

MR. (THOMAS A. EDISON,

o/o Thomas A. Edison, Ino.,

Lakeside Avenue,

West Orange,

Hew Jersey.

% dear llr. Edison i

In aooordanoo with Hr. Hoadoworof t 1 s oonvorsation with
Hr. Colpitts this morning, we sent you today by spooial messongor an additional
Thompson-Lovering thirty mile receiver shunt.

(Trusting that this reached you promptly and in satisfactory condition,

Chief Engineer.

''/(rnftt/t'ttli

3$a€/('tfM?sS^fwne#i0ca>'y//a/0rea6'

55 S/ih’c.e5

February 19th 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

The Edison Laboratories.

W. Orange H.J.

Dear sir:

In further reference to the tube of radium which we
loaned you on February 13th inst. while we are naturally
glad to know that same has been of material assistance to you
at the same time we regret that it will be necessary for us to
ask for its return.

Unfortunately this particular tube is our laboratory
standard and we need it for our own comparison work.

V/e trust that you will dn receipt of this letter see
that the tube is returned to us. .

very truly yourB
Radium Luminous Material Corp'n.

»JOKH& Ao BiBlRASMHSAflS Co. nLalUDo

AfgnntoKMWuiciAi. and I'iUYSneAi. iNt-vrireiuMiHmnrs

PITTSBURGH. PA., u.s. A. February 19, 1917,

Hr. Thomas A. Edison.

Orange, II. J.

Dear 31r:-

7/e desire to preface the following by stating we are absolutely
at your command in any way we may he of service.

Your present problem as we understand it is, to obtain maximum
illumination. She diameter of the pupil is our base, and the size of the
emerging pencil is the diameter of objective divided by the power.

If we assume that the avorage pupil of observer may equal a
diameter of 0."25 then power on 4 inch objective must he a great as 16.

V/riter would suggest a 3 inch triplet, a few of which wo have
in stock, made some years ago to fill the conditions yon desire. The foc¬
al length equals, 15. "3 and the price in cell $ 75.00. One other sugges¬
tion, if your experiments arenas we feel confident.»ef importance, v.’o would
suggest you lay the entire optical problem before our associate Dr. Chas.

S. Hastings, 248 Bradley Street, Hew Haven, Conn.

It is perhaps unnecessary to add that Dr Hastings until quite
recently was Professor of Physics at Yale University. Some work in connect¬
ion with the theory of moving pictures which he did sbme years ago for your
company, yon will doubtless recall. All of which is intord.uctory to »he
statement that v/riter believes that Dr Hastings is the authority in this
country in any problem dealing with theoretical oi)tj.es, and our nope is
that hy bringing this to your attention at once, time which is all impor¬

tant will he saved.

Thoma3 A. Edison

John A. Brasliear Co., ltd.

February £0,1917

Ilori. Josephus Daniels, /

Washington, -D. C.
liy dour .hr. Daniels

I sm In need of an old ono
pounder Gun ana Hount, ' for an experiments If
possible, it is requested that the ilow fori, lia .vj
Yard bo authorised to bore out tho rifling," mak¬
ing. the gun a smooth boro, and then send it to
me at Orange, il.J. .

- • Yours very truly.

Fobruery £0,1017.

1ST. 0. C. Stotts, Jr.,

. Chief Clark, naval Consulting Board,

13 Park liovr, L'oe York, If.Y.'

Dear Sir:- : ,

ilr. Edison has roeoivoc '/our favor of
tile 19th inetunt onclocing tho following .capers :

1. Tatont ilo. 1,209, 6i>0 of Patrick, 3. Boloney

for naans of detecting presence .of eubrnergod
rae.tallic bodies.

£. • Specification dasefibirir another dbvieo for
a similar puruoeo. -

3. .Illustration of dovic'o last referred to. .

‘Ur. Edison’p present om.erinonts aro being
conducted by him along certain definite linoe which
have boon alroddy laid out, and in order to avoid
any 'confusion of ideas, ho prefers to return the.
above papore to your office, for your filos.

I, therefore, hand then to you enclosed

herewith.

; Yours very truly.

Aooietnnt to }<r. Edison.

. /aJ&A. _ kdtS.- ■ f •- £ & ‘

_ _ <i^d.c-L L£-6-/ct2y - Mm - - ^ -"

_/<Zt _ - JL-AUMUACJiL-

cfzntn ■ /a J2 _ gaic - nuttfi -

■&-//<■-*• jt&s&ki*. - cd&Ax'- — -

_iaauZfii _ //LC - &-—CU& - - ** -

/* ur/rr/e. y**-^*^

t _ deuy—^ - : - :

//Cr ^^v-

__Miy _ - *6^-' -

Lja-t t. ccM a i lj

LWt. / ~^L t t i l

t£< -V

General Electric Co-i,

(Copy)

THE JOHUS HOPKIHS UNIVERSITY
Baltimore, Hd.

Physical laboratory:

J. S. Amos, Director,

R. W. Wood,

Wm. J. A. Bliss,

A. II. Pfund
J. A. Anderson.

February 20,1917.

Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange , M . J .

Dear Sir:-

Your recent letter to Dr. J. S. Ames was handed
to me for reply. Concerning the matter of screens which
permit only ultra-violet rays to pass through them, I would
say thaTTto my knowledge, there are none such. However,
the visible spectrum may be weakened very much relative to the
ultra-violet by the methods to be outlined presently. Possibly
!> combination of two or more of such screens would serve your
purpose. As a Bouree of light, nothing is better than an
arc playing between rods of iron ( a mercury vapor arc is also
very good). The following screens are known to be fairly
transparent to the ultra-violet:

Dense Cobalt (blue) glass one of whose sides is
coated with gelatine impregnated with Uitroso-
dimethylaniline .

2. A plate of polished quartz heavily silvered (the
silver is almost entirely transparent at wave
length 3100 A.V.

3. A polished crystal of Ilickel-Ammonium sulphate.

4. A quartz bulb filled with Bromine vapor.

6. A layer of solution of Hi-Amrionium Sulphate and Co S04.

If these suggestions prove worthless,
beppleased to look up some more if you will let me
you.

I shall
hoar from

Very sincerely.

(signed) A. H. Pfund.

y*y/7 .

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

February 20, 1917.

My dear Mr. Edison:

I am greatly interested in your letter about
the experiments you are making and I am calling them
to the attention of those in the Department who are
most interested in them.

Believe me always, with expressions of esteem
Yours sincerely,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, New Jersey.

ISAAC BACHARACH

Bjmts? nf iRpprwpntatiupa 31. §>.

SlaHljtngtmt, 0. (£. February 20, 1917

Hon. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, N. J.
lily dear Ur. Edison:

I am in receipt of your letter
of the 19th instant, on the subject of Universal Mil*
itary Training, and beg to assure you that this sub¬
ject will have my support.

Very truly you

February 21,1917,

Dr. C. Everett Fiold, - ,

c/o Eadium Chemical Co . ,".

50 East 41st Street,

Dew York, II. Y.

Dear Dr. Field: . •

Allow me to bxprosG my appreciation
of the courtesy you have* go kindly extended to mo
over tho telephone, through ray Assistant, Mr. V7.H.
Ueudowcroft. As soon as I am ready, I shall send
to the address which you montion, and beg to assure
you that thore will bo as littlo, dolay ne possible
in completing ray part of tho understanding.

Onco raoro thanking you for your prompt
acquioscenco ,und courtesy, I remain, ,

Yours very truly.

A/2325. ,

( memorandum i : .

Eadium Sanitarium of Ilev; York, ..

- ■. Dr. Jos. B. Bissell,

205 V/. 70th Street,

. it. Y. City.. , . -

Eadium chloride or bromide,

containing 100# radium content, in no less than 5 milligrams,
lots *100. per' milligram. ' ..... , >

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY in nepiy Refer to

GENERAL OPFICE

SCHENECTADY, N. Y.

Schenectady, N. Y. , February 21, 1917.

Mr. Meadowcroft, Secretary to
Mr. Thomas X. Edison,

East Orange, N. J,,

My dear Sirs-

I received last evening your telegram of February

20th reading:

"Please do not go to any further trouble I will
get Mathematician around here".

I hope that you may be successful in securing the services
of a man who will entirely meet Mr. Edison's requirements.

As mentioned to you over the telephone we had in mind
Mr. M. A. Rusher who is entirely familiar with the use of
ordinary differential equations and also with some of the
simpler partial differential equations, and as a matter of
accomodation to Mr. Edison we would have been happy to arrange
to let him have Mr. Rusher's services for a period of two or
more weeks during which he might have required them.

Mr. Stevenson, the other man whom I mentioned to you
over the telephone, could not have devoted more than two weeks
to this outside work without having put back his work at Union
College for the entire year. Mr. Stevenson is not only
familiar with the use of the equations above referred to but
also with the following:

"Bessellb Function, Legendre's function.

Spherical Harmonics, Potential function and such tables
as those of Jonke and Ennde.

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY 1

If you should find that at a later date we could
be of any service to Mr. Edison, X certainly trust that
you will not hesitate to let us know.

Very truly-yours.

PC P/MLB

EV/Rjr

jistant

the President

United States Navy Yard,

February 21, 1917.

My dear 1ST. Edison:

I am enclosing a copy of a letter vhioh I v/as
pleased to receive from the Secretary of the ITavy. I
need not tell you that I am personally greatly pleased
to place myself and my organization at your disposal as
directed in this letter. Ky assistants are all enthu¬
siastic about your work and each one is hoping that he
may be detailed to come down to see you, so do not hesi¬
tate to call on me for anything within my power.

V/ith kind regards,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, IT. J.

1

Qopy

©

The Secretary of the Havy
'.'/ash ington.

February 19, 1917.

Dear Captain Burd:

Mr . Edison is doing some very important work
of investigation for the levy and will need from time
to time advice and information and assistance. Please
put yourself and your organisation in touch with aim
and give him any help possible to the effecting and
carrying out of the investigations and discoveries upon
which he is working.

Sincerely yours,

(sgnd) Josephus Daniels.

Captain George E. Burd, U. 3. IT. ,
Industrial JVanager, Havy Yard,
flew York, IT. Y.

February £2,1917.

Kf. F. B. Jewett* Chiof Engineer,

Western Electric Company, .

403 Vib at atroet,

Bov; 'fork, II. I.

Dear Dr. Jewett;

; 2hie lottor ie written for Hr.
Edison, and is intended to acknowledge tho -receipt
of 'your favor of (die 19th instant, ana also of
the additional Ihorapeon-Lovering thirty milo rd- •
ceiver shunt, which you wore kind onought to send
over so promptly. ' '

* foura vory truly.

Assistant to lir. SdiEon.

A/2341.

February

Hr. I. Howard Brumbaugh,. Pros.,

Hot? Engl and Society of Orange,

243 I.'.ain Stroot,

Orange , K . J.

Boar Sir 1

•I havp just received your circular
addroosod to'- -the members’ of tho Society, and
entitled "A coll to Duty" .

will you please ask tho Society at
tho next meeting whether there 1e any member
who is expert in tho highor mathematics, who
would do some work in the ovoning at homo in
connection with somo Government experiments.

Answering your letter to the Secretary, all

of Mr. Edison's reports have been received. The
delay in his hearing from them is doubtless due to the
fact that before preparing a response the offices of the
department concerned have wished to look into each
suggestion most carefully.

If you will allow me, I would like to suggest
that we be furnished with a duplicate copy of each of
Mr. Edison's communications. The Secretary's files oM—
purely for peroonal letters, all communications of an
official nature properly going through the official depart¬
ment files. If we could have a duplicate of Mr. Edison's
letters, we could keep here a private file for the Secretary,
sending to the Department such communications as are
entirely official. In order to have this file complete,
would you be kind enough to send me a copy of each of
Mr. Edison's six reports already submitted?

Cordially yours,

Private Secretary.

Mr. V/m. H. Meadowcroft,

% Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, N.J.

February 2:5,1917

Ur. II. C. Cotabish,

General Sales .'imager,
national Carbon Company, . . ,

Clovelana, Ohio .

Dear Ur.. Cotabish:

, . '■ I am having sent to you, addressed

to you personally, soveral packages ofeoods.

I would liko to have thoce carbonized sopar-
•atoly' and sont to mo. at yonr . earl loot possible’ convon-
ionoo. Of course.- 'I. would liko to have the carbonized
product in oach caso duly labollod with the nano of the
seed, so that I can idontify thorn .for the purpose of .
my oxper/iinontd . , •

■ Chose are to. bo used in tho work I am doing
for my Government/ and there is evory reason why there
should bo ho delay. when the soods are carbonized,
will you kindly have thorn forwarded to' my‘ Assistant,
ilr. VI. II. Iloador.oroft, at this address, and Hr w'ill
bring thorn to my attention immediately. ' '

Thanking you in advanco, I remain.

■ <=^/4v

3cC 2. 3, /Cj /j

/{ntadcUtteL _ J&ruArbn- . -

_ _ */{z^a._<- c«-t^4tc£.

J^>|-.v .

_ $ ipayif.

Jienfij) . Fyi^£u)€u

t/CAt /i.it/t-ti

&(xoa.Coo&, . aicc'c) ..fir - *)<&<*■>' >><

(}t>\ ‘>e-f gal. . ..If- _ OActit>}> . .fiere- ..... («n. y*<-<-

j/,aic If. 3f Ac,. .../*«* W V «'**•-
ft ' g, Cota^^l, . fctUftni Co

..... . .<?.!&« ,-

a.! _ h i.y _ Accjuc^-f,

tfCteyyc

Jflcn.M Cl. &ft4<r

February £3, 1917

Editor, ( ' v

Sho Evening Sim,

IIouYork, D.Y.

Dear Sir

Ihe 'ilowark: Evonihg Hews has promised
not to publish anything hereafter regarding my
experiments for the Government. V/ill you. do
the samo? •’

■ , r Yours very truly,

a - v V. •' ' ■ '

Fobruary 2S,?.917.

Prof. Ei C. Carpcntor,

Profocoor' Sxporimontai Englaooring,

Cornell Univoreity,

Ithaca, ii.Y.

Boar- Professor Carpoiiior :

; .IBs. Edison Is looting for
two or throo intelligent mechanically trained mon'
to experiment .on Government wort undo? hie direction.

I thought it was yoBciblo that you probably, know of-
some non' of this 'kind who were available at tho
procent time. .lie. expects to pay §20 to £20 a week ;~;
denoridinc 'on the ability of tho non. Ploaao advise •
too’ eoon . aa jioaciblo if you know of any. one who would
bo ablo to moot tho reqaireraonte .

Youre very 'truly, •

Go n oral. Sriginoer .

February £3,

Ur. Frank Smith;

Private Soorotary to '

fhe Secretary of the . llavy-.

Washington;. D. C.

ISy doar Ur. Smith: ' ■ ' \

vl am in receipt of your favor
of tii o ££d- inatant. ' Evidently you have rocoivod
, onlv six of ,Ur. SdiBon's:roporte, as that , is .the
number you- mention ‘on tho last lino of your lottor.
I am transmitting today Eoport lio. -9. with a du¬
plicate copy, ttffounpoBtod. ■ .

Mg n'ro all up .to tho neok in .work, and
.1 . have only one Assistant; who is acquainted with
the oontontB of theCo. rcuoftc, and who can be -on-,
trustod *6 make copies. , Shoro aro only four of
•uo who seer these reports, nar.ioly,vllr . Udieoa, hr.
Hutchison, myoolf and ny .assistant..'., I .will send
the. extra copies of the other reports within tho
. nokt two' or throo- dtiys.

‘ lit the meantime, will' you kindly advise
mo whether you havo rocoivod Ko ports 1,2,S,4,5,G,

.7 and 0. Hr. Edison will bo very glad if yon will
kindly take thb troublo herdaftor to send ue a
note Baying that'yoq have roceivod. Eeport Ho.—,-
as they come. • '

' ' Youtg vary truly.

, Assistant to Hr- Edison.

A/2S58. ■ • '/ ' \ /.

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON,

February 23, 1917.

My dear Mr. Edison:

In accordance with the request contained
in your letter of February 20, 1917, the Hew York
Havy Yard has been instructed to bore out the rifling
of a 1-pounder gun, and to communicate with you with
regard to any special dimensions required for this
work.

The gun will be shipped to you as soon as
completed, and after the gun has served its purpose,
it is requested that you return it to the Havy Yard,
Washington, D. C.

Sincerely yours.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H.

J.

SHIPMENT ORDER.

NAVY DEPARTMENT.

Pile No.

Z0978/91-(D2)-0
From’P’Siireau of Ordnance.

Via Bureau of Supplies and Aooounts.
To: Supply Offioer, H. Yd., New York.
, ThomaB A. Edison, Orange, N.

IJEOT: shipment of 1-pounder gun.

S .& A. Pile No .

& — // /

FEB 231917

Referenoes:

(a) Bu. Ord. ltr. 30978/91 of even

(b) Telegram from H.Yd. , New York,

date .

Reference #14222.

Additional
1 for
1 for
1 for
1 for
1 for

copies furnished:

Bureau of Supplies and Aooounts.
N. Yd., Washington, 3). C.

1. It is requested that the following material be prepared and
shipped by freight to Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, N. J. s

One 1-pounder gun, smooth bore, in accordance
with reference (a), together with breech
mechanism and mount.

2. It is requested that this shipment be considered urgent.

3. AS the above gun iB to be used for experimental purposes,
this shipment should be made at Government expense.

^>4. Mr. Thomas. EdiBon.

After the above gun has served itB purpose, it is requested
iftat it be returned to the Washington Navy Yard at Government expense.

FFB2 31§17 V

Shipment should be made under Gover'iuScn’t bill of
lading \>- ess transportation charges are not payable by
tke Government. Victors. Jackson

By direction of the Paymaster General,

If avail ftwsuumre B w

or Till! UNITED STATES

February 23, 1917.

Bo the members of the Haval Consulting Board.

De§f Sirs:

You are urgently invited to attend a meeting of
the Committee on Speoial Problems to which the gentlemen on
the enclosed list have been invited. Shis meeting will be
held in the small assembly room on the fifth fit floor of
the Engineering SooietieB Building, 29 West 39th Street,

Hew York, at 9.00 A.M. on Saturday morning, March 3rd, and
ia called for the purpose of thorough discussion of
the general problem of submarine defense.

Ihe meeting is more or less of an experiment and
we do not know just how long it will remain In session, but
the room has been reserved for morning, afternoon and ■
evening .

While this is not a meeting of the Board proper,
it is believed that it will be of the utmost importance and
that every member should make an effort to be present.

Committee on Special Problems

Enc.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Invited to Meeting Maroh 3. 1917

Prof. ff. H. Burr, Columbia University, Hew York Oity.

Prof. P. W. Bridgman, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Mr. Beginald A. Fessenden, 403 Marlboro St., BoBton, Mass.

Mr. Henry ff. Fisher, Standard Underground Cable Oo. , Perth Amboy, H. J.

Mr. James H. freeman, Providence , R. I,

Mr. 0. F. Kettering, Dayton Eleotrio Laboratories Co., Dayton, Ohio.

Mr. Albert Kingsbury, 315) Stratford Ave., Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. 3. M. Kintner, Rational Electric Signalling Co., Farmers Bank Building,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Dr. Irving Langmuir, General Eleotrio Co., Soheneotady, H. Y.

Mr. Prank Leavitt, E. ff. Bliss Co., Brooklyn, H. Y.

Dr. A. R. ledoux, 99 John St., Hew York City.

Mr. Lamar Lyndon, 30 Chur oh St., Hew York City.

Mr. R. D. Mershon, 80 Maiden Lane, Hew York City.

Prof. A. A. Miohelson, University of Chicago, Chioago, Ill.

Prof. R. A. Millikan, University of Chicago, Chioago, Ill.

Prof. Edwin P. Horthrup, 1'rinoeton, H. J.

Prof. 0. ff. Pieroe, 7 Berkeley Place , Cambridge, Maas.

Dr. M. I. Pupin, Columbia University, Hew York City.

Mr. R. H. M. Robinson, Lake Torpedo Co., Bridgeport, Conn.

Dr. 0- P. Soott, Sheffield Scientific Sohool, Yale University, Hew Haven Conn.
Mr. Buoknsr Speed, o/o Western Eleotrio Co., 463 ffest St., Hew York City.

Mr. Joseph A. Steinmetz, I'ourth & Market Sts., Philadelphia, Pa.

Mr. Sutphen, Submarine Boat Corp., 11 Pine St., Hew York City.

Mr, Percy H. Thomas, #3 Raotor St., Hew York Oity.

Dr. El ihu. Thompson, Swampsoott, Mass.

Mr. R. B. Williams on, AlliB Chalmers Co., Milwaukee, ffis.

Prof. R. ff. Wood, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.

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Will vou Dlaaee send by Axprqss today
-to-my^Sbcretary- W . H . ^saowcrof tTfft toe”
address, ten 'BpundaAfoamite for Government

My dear Ur. Ueadowcroft:

Mr. Newcomb, the young man I had in mind when we had
our conversation over the telephone yesterday, wants to come to
your laboratory for two or three weeks, but since Dr. filliarc
L. Robb, cur Professor of Electrical Engineering, has most to do
with him as a post-graduate student, he wishes to ask the advice
cf Dr. Robb, who is at present in New York but will return to¬
morrow, Sunday. Mr. Newcomb will see him Sunday and will then
advise you or may start immediately for the laboratory. You
will find him an earnest and able man. As I told you, however,

most of his work for the l3t three years has been in Electricity
and not in General Physios. I have just told him to send you a
day letter giving the information you will find here.

Very sincerely yours,

February £6,1017 .

Dr. Paliaor C- Hi'clcottB, Director, '

. Rensselaer Polytochnic Institute,

2roy, U.l.

Uy dear Dr- Ricketts:

'* .Allow mey to express L5r. Edison's
sincere) thanks to you for your prompt action in conr
nection with ray ^telephone mossago of last Friday.

- your kindness in the .matter is very much appreciated
by lir. Edison'. f

Ur. liovscomb has arrived this morning, 'and.

Ur. 'Edison will be'vory: glaa to -avail himself of his
: service's, in connection with the Government bJcporimorite .
• ’ Yotirs very truly.

'Assistant to Ur.- Edison.

A/2377.

IfATOL Consulting Board

or xnK TraarrED status

iN.y, ‘ February 26, 1917

Ur. Thomas A. Edison, ji

Orange, B.J.

Dear Mr. Edison:

As yon Know, we had Mr. Fay, of the Submarine
Signalling Company, before the Board at the last meeting.

That Company has contributed to submarine detection and
submarine communication for the Allies. The Committee
on Special Problems spent Friday with the Signalling
Company on Boston Herbor, and saw such tests as you are
probably familiar with. The outcome of this step is prao-
tioally the following:

An experimental station 9hould be erected on
shore whioh could be connected to various receivers, micro¬
phones, or oscillators, plaoed in sufficient depth of water
to remove as far as possible uninteresting sounds, the idea
being to learn by actual trial what we may hope from further
development of submarine signalling, particularly with ref¬
erence to detecting or locating submarines. In the practical
execution of such experiments it seemed worth while to elimi-

nate the factors which make rapid and careful work so
difficult at present. X refer to the necessity of
going to sea in small tugs in bad weather at irregular
periods, under very poor experimenting conditidns, par-
tioularly for hearing and the use of sensitive eleotrioal
instruments- It was suggested that a small shore station
be placed at some point like Uahant and connected to sub¬
merged receivers, and that in this connection available
types of amplifying and receiving apparatus be tried,
later on we were led to believe that this might be dupli¬
cating work you were Planning to do, and we should like
to know if you will advise us.

We should like to assist in the establishment
of such an experimenting station and help to arrange that
ideas not only of the Subnarine Signalling Company, but
also of others, might be tried out under favorable conditions,
For this reason, the station should be one whose necessary
expenses are borne by the government. Y/e could well estab¬
lish at once such a station, even if it were not entirely
suited for all the various kinds of development work the

If, on the other hand, you prefer to see thi
type of work undertaken hy some existing bureau of the
United States, will you kindly inform me at onoe, as I
will then wish to get permission to consult the Bureau
of Standards as the next most logical step.

I have not bothered you by a personal visit,
tho I should have preferred it to writing, except for its
longer interference with your work, but I hope I may re¬
ceive an early reply.

Yours very truly,

bY>

T7RV?:0

Mr. Thos. A. Edison,

Orange,

Mew Jersey.

Dear Sir:

In reply to your letter of February 23rd asking The
Evening Sun not to publish anything regarding your experiments
for the Government, permit me to say that we shall be glad to
comply with your request. We will not publish anything re¬
garding these experiments without your knowledge and consent
unless news comes to us which is obviously about to become matter
of general knowledge and general publication. You may depend
.upon us to keep this promise in good faith, in the spirit in
which you ask it and in which we give it.

Yours truly,

ilmH- A6

Managing Editor.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY,

Annapolis, Maryland,

February 36,1917,

Mr. Thomas A, Edison,

Orange, *

New Jersey.

Dear Sir: —

The Secretary of the Navy has requested
me to forward to your address a oopy of the Naval
Academy Register 1916-17, which is enclosed herewith,
and I respectfully invite your attention to pages
193-307, showing the oourse of instruction at the
Naval Academy together with the various textbooks, etc.,
used in connection therewith.

Very sincerely,

Captain, U.S.Navy,

Superintendent.

V v

Fobruary 26,1017,

Hon. Josophub Daniels,. -

Washington, D. C.

My dear Mr. Daniols: ■

; Dr.. lionroo has jact translated .

from the. French a papor, on /the products from the
oxplosion of II. -T. I -would li}:o to have a brief
from this r.apor, giving the names of the products.

This is in connection with item. Hoi 0 in
problonE submitted by tho Dopartraont.

Youxe very truly.

'

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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February £G, '1917.

Hon’. Josephus Daniels,

‘ Washington, D.-C.

Uy dear nr. Daniels: '

Hr. Kdison wishes mo to unite
to you and ask if thore is any way that ho can havo
a .loan of the entire pnnbor of volumes containing
the "Proceedings of tho United States Ilaval Institute".

Dual tiPB the favor of. your oarly reply, I

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur. lidicc

Naval Consulting Board

February 26, 19X7.

To the members of the Haval Consulting Board.

Bear Sirs:

Eef erring to mine of the 23rd inst. X write to
advise that the following names have been added to the list
of those invited-to attend the meeting of the Board's
Committee on Special Problems to be held at the Engineering
Societies Building, Hew York, on Saturday morning Mar oh third.

Mr. S. Herbert Condiot, Plainfield, H. J. ,

Br. P. G. Cottrell, Bureau of MineB,

Washington, B. C. ,

Mr. Hannibal C. Pord, 80 Lafayette Street,

Hew York City. ,

Mr. A. P. Brush, General Motors Co.,

Betroit, Mich.,

Mr. E. O'C. Acker, Bethlehem Steel Co.,

South Bethlehem, Pa. ,

Lieut. G. C. Bavison, Electric Boat Co.,

Hew London, Conn. ,

Mr. Pranois I* BuPont , Hinth & Orange Sts.,
Wilmington, Bel. ,

Mr. Louis S. Clarke, Auto Car Company,

Ardmore, Pa.

Your attendance is especially requested at this
meeting, and I would be obliged if you will kindly advise me
whether you will be there.

LA/gt

Very truly yours-,

2^~ci2 —

Chairman,

Committee on Special Problems,

February £7,1917

Hr. V.’.'E. i.hitney.
General Klee trie Co.,
Schonoctady, E.Y.

Dear Hr. Whitney : ’ >

I an working quitciihard on a
submarine do tec tine system and have tried many
oraoorlmontc. I have recoivod dermic cion to
conduct further osperinonte- froih tho Ambrose
and Scotland Lightships off Sandy Hook and alco •
at the Ho oh, (for which experiments I am making
apparatus,) and with a boat from a privato owner.

On account of tho groat varioty of shinning and
conditions, sandy, Hook will bo a very pood place
for this work.

If you could pot tho Subraarino Sig¬
nalling Co. to also conduct oxperitnonts on this
lino it would be an additional acourance that wo
will Burcly pot what wo want. Shoir Hr. I’oasendon,
who coraraoneod his active life' with me and was
with me many youj c , is a vory able man and has
.large experience in this lino.

Yours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

. February 27,1917

i_"r . Lawrcnco Addieke,

126 Liberty Street, '

Hot; York, li.Y.

Dear Sir:- . , .

I have roeoivod your favor of tho 23d
anS £6th inctant, in regard to tho Meeting of tho
Board 1 e Committee on Special Problome, to bo hold
oh noxt Saturday morning. •

1 rogrot that 1 ohall bo unable to
attend this mooting. I .am overwhelmed with work,
and it will be Eirtply imi-oesiblo for me to got
away.

Your a vory truly,

a/2381.

February 27,1917.

From: Secretary of the Havy.

To: Secretary of 7.'ar.

SUBJECT: Mr. Thomas A. Edison requests authority for experi¬
mental work at Sandy Hook.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison has requested permission in a
letter addressed to the Kavy Department to conduct some
experiments in the development of 6 range finder actuated
by sound waves, such experiments to be conducted at Sandy
Hook, where opportunities of measuring sound of gun fire
and distance from the point of fire are available. Ho re¬
quests that such permission be granted for two of his staff.

It is requested that the 7/ar Department authorize Mr.
Edison to conduct such experiments, and to send two of his
staff to Sandy Hook, such experiments not to interfere with
the progress of work at Sandy Hook.

Josephus Daniels.

/-

National. Carbon Company

ci.bvkland. omo. u.s.a.

February 27th 1917

Mr Thoe A Edison
Orange N J

Dear Mr. Edison: -

Youre of the 23rd was received in due course and
this morning the writer received from J. M. Thorburn * Co., New York
City one 1-lb. package of Celoaia Plume sa MtM seeds and we have
also received a 1-lb. package of English Charlock seeds from the
Department of Agriculture.

I am delivering both of these packages to our carbonizing department
with specific instructions to proceed with the work as fast ae possible
and keep both packages separate. We will be compelled to conduct some
preliminary experimental teats in our laboratory to determine the best
method of carbonizing but you can rest assured the work will be crowded
through without a moment’s delay.

Yours very truly.

NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY

COLUMBIA BATTERIES -

I

Captain’ E. W. Eberlo, 0. S. H.,’

Superintendent, United States Haval Academy,
Annapolis,, Maryland.'

Boar Captain Eborlo :

1 an in receipt of your favor
of the £6th instant, and thank you. for forwarding
me copy of the Haval Academy Register 191G-17.

There are a few text books that I would
liko to obtain. Thoy. are specified on pages 195,
196 and 197, and are as follows:

Elementary Interior Ballistics.

Bu.Ord Pamphlets.

Elastic Strength of Guns, 190G, Alger.
American Practical navigator* Bovrditch.
Bullard's Haval Electricians' Textbook.
•Alger's Exterior Ballistics; • 1915,

Haval Ordnance, 1915. V
Bureau of Ordnance pamphlets.

Robinson's. Haval Construction.

Robinson's Manual of V/ireleob Telegraphy..

. YourG sincerely.

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY.
WASHINGTON.

February 23, 1917.

My dear Mr. Meadowcroft:

I am In receipt of your letter of the 20th and also of
the duplicate copies of all reports from Ho. 1 to No. 3, in¬
clusive, and also duplicate of report No. 10, which you were
good enough to send me under separate cover. I had previous¬
ly received a duplicate of report No. 9, which came with the
original report. If Mr. Edison has not had an answer to
all of the reports, he is certain to have them all within
another day or two.

This evening’s mail brought reports Nos. 11 and 12, which
I am formally acknowledging under separate cover and which
will be answered as quickly as possible.

Cordially yours,

Private Secretary.

Mr. Y/m. H. Meadowcroft,
c/o Edison Laboratories,
Orarge , N. J.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

WASHINGTON.

February 26, 1917.

My dear Mr. Meadowcroft:

I am In receipt of your letter of the 26th. Pro¬
ceedings of the Naval Institute have been published since
1874. We have only one complete set on file here in the
Library. It is possible that there maybe a complete
set on file in New York. This I am endeavoring to as¬
certain. You will hear from me in another day or two.

Is it possible that Mr. Edison desires a complete set
since 1874? I take it that. he is interested more par¬
ticularly in the recent issues, say for the past ten
years.

Sincerely yours.

Mr. Wra. H. Meadowcroft,

c/o Edison Laboratories,
Orarge , N.J.

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF MINES
WASHINGTON

By request of tho Council of National Defense, the Bureau of Mines, in cooperation with tho
American Chemical Society, will prepare a roster of Chemists of the United States. Data covering
tho qualifications, experience, and skill of each chemist nro desired to determine tho lino of duty in
which he could best serve the country in timo of need.

European oxpcricnco' has shown that nothing is more important in time of nationnl emergency
than a knowledge of tho qualifications and cxpciicnco of the country’s expert technical men. It is
therefore important, especially at present, that this information be available in tho United States.

You are accordingly requested, as a patriotic duty, not only to fill out tho card which you will
receive herewith, but to see thnt every chemist within your acquaintance receives one and does
likowise. Additional cards will be furnished upon request. You will plonso check only those
subjects in which you nro expert, especially whero you linvo had actual manufacturing experience.
Ploaso return the enrd promptly, using tho inclosed penalty envelope. Tho information received
will bo carefully classified, carded, and indexed. Your prompt responso to this matter will bo very
much appreciated.

Very truly yours,

Van. H. Manning,

Director, Bureau oj Miner.

Julius Stieglitz,
Praiient, American C

Naval Consulting Board
and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence
March 1917

I.Iarch 1,1917

Ur. Theodore Hewcomb , •

21GC 14th Street,-
Troy, a.Yi . ’

Door Ur. Ilewconb:

I have received your favor of
the £7 til ultimo, and reprot to learn that you had
docided not to continuo in renderinp assistance
to', Hr. lid in on in his Government experiments . Of
course, we all realise that it was unfortunate
there should ha vo boon such a loss of time on ■ •
ilonday, but it was merely a coincidence. Ur.

Edison had some electrical problems ' that he was.
poinp to submit to you, but as you have arrivod
at. your present decision, he has mado other arranpo-
ments»- ' •

• fours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

a/2410. ■

Sh 1, 1U17.

Dr. Hichard Haclawrin,

Institute of technology,

Boston, Haas.

Dear Dr. Haclawrin:

I have received your favor of the 27th ultimo,
and have shown it to Hr. Edison. He appreciates very much your
efforts to assist him in reoamending some young men to help
him in hl3 Government experiments, and realizes the difficulties
will oil lie in your way. Of course, he would not wish for a
moment to have any of your young men imperil their chance of
graduation, and wishes me to say to you since X telephoned you a
few days ago, ho has been able to get a fow young men, and can
now avail himself of the services of some more from local
institutions.

Onoe more thanking you for your efforts in
Hr. Edison's behalf, I remain.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

HH

March 1, 1917.

Dr. John H. Finley,

University of the State of Hew York,

Albany, Hew York.

Dear Dr. Finley:

Allow me to thank you for your kind favor of the
27th ultimo, and. also to express Hr. Edison's thanks to you for
having boon Instrumental in sending to him the two young men
mentioned therein. Hr. V.ooden and Hr. Curt arrived here promptly
on Monday morning, and Hr. Edison put them to work right away.
VUoy are now very busy helping him in his experiments.

Hr. Hewcomb also came on Monday morning and
remained through the day, but he returned home and wo 2iave re¬
ceived a letter from him saying that he would scarcely wish to
neglect ills regular work.

Hr. Edison thinks, that he will bo’ able to
obtain one or two more young men locally, but if he finds he
cannot, ho will avail himself of your kind offer of further
assistance.

With renewed thanks, 1 retain,

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY,
Annapolis, Maryland,

--PERSONAL —

March 1, 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, N. J.

My dear Mr. Edison:

There have been forwarded to yon this date,
from the Midshipmen's Store, the following named books,
as per yonr request of February 28, 1917:

•Elastic Strength of Guns, 1906, Alger
^American Practical Navigator, Bowditoh
■Bullard's Naval Electricians' Textbook£_L /e U
Eger's Exterior Ballistics, 1915
vNaval Ordnance, 1915
Robinson's Naval Construction
Robinson's Manual of Wireless Telegraphy

CiUo Ratuit- 1- QaJtfciU'e.

The remaining book which you as^, for, namely: —
"Elementary Interior Ballistics", is not now used by the
Naval Academy, but has been superseded by Bureau of
Ordnance pamphlet entitled "Practical Interior Ballistics"
which is issued and distributed by the Bureau of Ordnance.

The Bureau of Ordnance Pamphlets which you
request are publications by that Bureau and though they
are used at this place, we do not carry them for distribu¬
tion. The midshipmen after completing that part of the
course covered by these pamphlets turn them in again for
use by the next class.

Trusting that this fulfills your wishes, I am,
Yours sincerely.

Captain, U. 3. Navy,
Superintendent .

gSSife.,..

NxWAI. Consulting Board

Ol' XBUi UNITED STATES

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
13 Park Row, New York

Maroh. 1, 1917.

To the members of the Havel Consulting Board.

Bear Sirs:

The Annual Meeting of the Baval Consulting Board will
be held Saturday, March 10th at 10 A.M.

Unless you are otherwise notified, the plaoe of meeting
will be at the rooms of the American Institute of Mining
Engineers, 29 Best 39th Street, Hew York.

This notice is sent in accordance with the following
extract from the Buies recently adopted:

Article IV, Clause 1.

The offioers of the Board Bhall be:

Thomas A. Edison, President,

A Vioe-Pre3ident ,

A Chairman of the Board,

A Secretary of the Board.

The three latter Bhall be elected annually by
written ballot by the Board from among its members
at its Annual Meeting, which shall take place in
March. Bue notice of such eleotion shall be Bent
to eaoh member of the Board at least ten days in
advance of such Annual Meeting.

HAVA1 COHSULTIHG BOABB.

I... 7r'

Inforntationon Hooeivers. for Ur. Thomas A. EdiBon

Western Etectric Company .

torch 1, 1917.

IN REPLY REFER TO E.H.ColpittB-GI

MR. W. H. MEADOV/CROFI,
c/o 'fhorms A. Edison,
lakeside Avsnuo,
West Orange,
How Jersey.

y dear Mr. Keadoworoft:

Following our conversation of Vues day, I believe Mr. Frederick c
our laboratories has given you information for Mr. Edison's
as follows:

Our 70 ohm watch case receiver is known as the #128 type. Its wind¬
ing consists of a total of 1475 turns #35 S.S.l'.C.C. per receiver (half this
number of turns per spool).

Our #146 type receiver is a watch case receiver unit of 650 ohms
resistance wound with 4226 turns #40 S.S.S.C.O. per receiver (half this number
of turns per qsool). ; j

V/e have in the past made a 1000 ohra receiver unit consisting of a
#128 type unit wound with a total of 6400 turns #40 B.E.C.C. (3200 turns per
spool) .

We have also trade a 1500 ohm unit consisting of a #128 type unit
wound with 8600 turns #40 B.E.O.C. (4300 turns per spool).

e first two types, l.e., 70 and 650 ohm reoeivers, we. have

stook. The latter two types we do not carry in stock, but could in case of
an emergency, rewind in the Model Shop in very limited numbers, reoeivers of
the #128 type within two days.

We do not have any 2000 or 3000 ohm receivers, and have, inters

Mr.W.H.Meadoworoft - 2 -

pretod the request for information on 1000, 2000 and 3000 ohm rooeivers to apply
to pairs of receivers having a total resistance of 1000„ 2000 and 3000 ohms.

I am confirming this information by letter so as to eliminate pos¬
sibilities of error.

Yours truly.

Chief Engineer.

I 7 TTj/inAAS)

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

• Material' for Hr. Edison

Western Electric Company \

ENGINEERING D

. 403 WEST STREET

NEW YORK

u ip

on with me on February 21st, X toot the
i^^'^^un^r^l'aSding that ^rf'liathes to ole

ff tt+mmh

UR. THOMAS A. EDISOH,
o/o Thomas A. Edison,

Lakeside Avenue,

Wo at Orange,

Net/ Jersey.

Uy dear Mr. -Edison:

Following your oonvorsat;
matter up with our engineers, and it
to your laboratories various receivers, an amplifier set and various auxiliary
apparatus. In order to facilitate any reference to this material in the future, •
I am listing below what I understand was taken out by our engineers.

#146 Receivers

Board with. Fahnestocks for connecting receivers
in series-multiple combinations
. 1 - #144 reoeiver
/l - Lineman's reoeiver
■V 1-4 dial resistance box (small size)

‘l»"l - Box of 98 #4 Columbia dry cells
'* 2 - Type "V" elements #15020 and #15035
Al - Circuit board on which was mounted

S Cl 1 vacuum tube socket

' 1 special #43-A retardation coil

1 4-ohm rheostat
_ 1 l-mf . condenser

i - Three-stage low energy amplifier mounted in
sheet nteel box containing
!• v/V- #V-192 repeating ooil
(✓2 - #43-A special retardation ooils
. KX- #’.¥-188 repeating ooil
e/i - #44-B retardation ooil :>

600,000 ohm resistances
6.5 ohms dial typo filament rheostats
# 27-F repeating coil
Condensers

Miscellaneous jacks, terminal,; flashlight cells

•A.

%

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mr.fflioinas A. Edison " 2 “

It is my understanding that this apparatus when set up met your
requirements, and that for the present at least there is nothing more that v.
oan do in this connection.

Yours veiy truly,

V,

Chief - Engineer.

Ur. U. C. Cotabieh, Gonoral Sales Jianagor,
national Carbon Company,

- " Clovoland, Ohio.

Dear Ur. Cotabish:

' Your favor of the' 27th ultimo1
acknowledging receipt of - seeds from J. II. Thorburn
& Co,. , and the Department of Agriculture, was re¬
ceived ana shown to Iir. Edison. He wishes no to
express his thanks for your .promptness-, in start¬
ing- the work of carbonisation. -

Ur. Edison requested no. to have a package
containing several varieties of spado .sent to you
from Potor Honderoon Z-. Co., How York. As you do
not make any mention of having recoivod this package,
I have requested them to /send tracer, immediately.,

Iir. Edison also wishes rao, to thank you
for .your prompt attention to his tologram of y os tor-
day for some hollow carbons. I prosumo the package
will be in somo tine today. . In regard to your for¬
warding any packages of material connoctod with
those Government experiments, nay I ask you to kindly
instruct your Shipping Department . to address then
.to me . As you may surmiso, there is a vast number
. of packagos of our ordinary commercial matorial com¬
ing in .address od to Ur- ^Edison, and as thoro might,
bo some delay dndor ordinary conditions, wo are.
having dll those spooial things come direct to mo
so that I oan bring then; -to Ur. Edison's' attention
iliinediately on rooo'ipt.

Yours vory truly.

Assistant to' Ur, Sd’iBon. .

Uarch 2,1017.

Dr. Leland £.. Color, ' -

Iloalth Officer . of the Port of Hew York,

How York, U.Y-. ,

Dear Sir:-

I on engaged in making some experiments for the
Government. In the course of those experiments it iz quite
possiblo that I ohall want to havo access to various loea-
tiona in the lower Bay, wore I could handle some oxuoriraonts
from a Dock into IS or 20 foet of water. Swinbourn iDland
would bo a pood location. from tho point. of view of oxperi- '
neats, but I understand that it is uced as a Quarantine
station for tho detention of contagious diseases.

Of coureo, I wouia not like to send men down whore
tho-' would bo in danger of contagion. Eherofore I am writ¬
ing to ask (assuming that permission would bo granted ) whether
there is .a Bock far- oriough removed -from danper“of contapion,
Where a few men could land an parforn some experiments with
apparatus that I should want to low or into tho water.

I think you will porhaps undorctand from tho abovo
just what I want to accomplish, and should bo .obliged if you
will give no -as much information you con1 on tho sub Joe t, and
also advising mo as to whore I shall get permission to con¬
duct those oxpofimonts, assuming dihat- it. would bo safe to
send mon down there.

I shall appreciate an early reply, and thank you •
in advance for your courtesy.

Yours very truly.

A/2429. '

' " ■ , ' ■ ’ : /

■ ’ . - , . ,■ li&rch S, 1917

ilieo llaudd E. Y.oloh,«

'19..ilorric Stroot,

llorrlctov:n, U.J. • .

Doar Hadon: ’ ... - - ■

Allovr no to then]: you for tho J:ind
offer of assistance convoyed lay your fayor of
tho lat instant. ' your courtesy , is very much
appreciated. "•

. At the prooent tirao I have too mathe¬
maticians at v;ork,' but "I oxpoct to' have sono more
• problems to bo solved, und. shall fciadly avuil
myoolf of your kindness should tho occasion re¬
quire .

'• "Xouro very truly,

A' . '■ •

■ ■ a ; • . * \ '

ioJsyji-'t

I : ...

; : ^v</ i.ici '

i «x

United States Navy 'Yard, 0 *

NEW YORK. N.Y. (jf^ ./

March 5, V5Yf.

My dear Hr. Edison:

During the last few days the yard has teen so
■busy that I have been unable to send lieutenant Clark
to Orange with the list of casualties on submarines
as I intended when I wrote you in regard to this list.

Accordingly 1 am forwarding them herewith by-
registered mail and would request that you acknowledge
receipt.

Very sincerely yours,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Edison laboratory,
Orange, E. J.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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- _

March 5th, 1917,

Mr. Thomas A,
Orange ,

Hew Jersey,

I have the honor to acknowledge the
.etter of March 2d, 1917, making inquiries rc
>f the dock at Swinburne Island in the Lower
)f your experimental work, and to say that I
afford you every available facility in your t

assumed, in the event you sh<
ixporiments contemplatod will
>f the State of New York.

if the dock, that the
indanger the property

surances of earnest cooperation, I

H3ALTH OFFICER

Apparatus ,-f or

Edison

, Western Electric Company,

INCORPORATED

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
„ 403 WEST STREET

B NEW YORK March 5, 1917.

MR. v;. H. MBAPOV/CEOPl’,

o/o Thomas A. Edison, Ino.,
Laheside Avenuo,

V/est Orange,

How Jersey.

I.1y dear Mr. Meadowcroft:

Referring to your conversation with Mr. Colpitts the otner day, wo
sent out to you on Tuesday, February 27th, twelve #14*-AV/ telephone receivers
with cords attached. X presume that those were recoived in duo course, and am
writing this note so that in the future any reference to this apparatus my ho
made easier.

truly, . .

EHO-GI

National. Carbon Company

/

C3 IJ3VK LANE

March 5th 1917

Mr Wra H Meadowcroft
AoBt' to Mr Thos A Edison
Orange N J

Dear Sir:-

Just received youre of the 2nd thiB morning. I preeume by
this time you have received the half dozen samplea we Bent you Saturday.

We received the Henderson shipment promptly and 1 am sending you under
separate cover six lots from the Henderson seeds, carbonized with
Treatment A. This treatment la exactly the same as was given the
original lot sent you Saturday marked 1-A and 2-A and the sample lot we
are forwarding you today consists of the following Beeds, each package
being marked A:

Turnip, Early White Milan - -- -- -- -- -- -- - -A-

White Clover - - ----- - -----A

Dwarf Essex Rope ----- ----------- - A

Black Mustard- - -- -- - - -- -- -- -- -- -- -A

Cabbage, Henderson Selected Early Jersey, Wakefield - -A
Cockscomb - - - ----- -------------A

This will serve to give you an idea as to whether this process approximates
Mr. Edison's expectations.

In the meantime we are reserving the balance of the seeds for B and C experi¬
ments.

Will follow your instructions and forward future samples addressed to you.
Yours very truly*

NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY

BD General Sales Hgr.

I.UMBIA BATTERIES - CC

Hr. If. C. Cotabish, '

.General Sales Manager ,

national Carbon Company,

Cleveland, Ohio.

Dear Hr. Cotabish:

I am in receipt of your favor
of tho bth instant, and note that you aro Bonding
six lots from the Henderson seeds, carbonised with
, Treatment* A . '

fhanh you. ' As soon as they arrive X
will lot kr. Edison have them. I gave him tho six
samples you sent last Saturday, and ho will tost
thorn. .

I hand you horovith a package of Poppy
Goods, and shall bo glad if you- will put these :
through tho carbonisation process. >.

Yo'ure very truly,

, ‘ Assistant to Ur. Edison.

3ulW %ruj (bpikat Compaq

^ cc£-c.6^~

^A-O*/, jrfer

*t*4E ftfaiSfitonf

Orange ,

ir

<W cdl*-*A j-crT

^ kccOJ

We have i

you in regard to the goggled
for the approval of Mr. Edisc
writing to ask if any decisic

n heard from
re- idr warded
i, and are
1 has yet been

reoeived ae to their respective values.

We are very anxious to
submit something that will meet his full
approval and to this end will be glad to
furnish any modification we can of the
goggles submitted.

JULIOS KING OPmtJAL 00.

SPW/ELF

■

BRAUN CORPORATION

MANUFACTURERS. IMPORTERS
AND EXPORTERS.

F. W. BRAUN.

363-371 NEW HIGH STREET.

LOS ANGELES. CAL. Mar. 7, 1917. JAH-GH

laboratory of Thos. E. Edison,
Orange, Hew Jersey.

Gentlemen

Acknowledging your telegraphic order
of March 5th, unfortunately we oould not make immediate
shipment of one Alder Selenium Cell. A new lot of
these is ooming through the shops at present, but it
will take three or four days at least to test them
out thoroughly.

Unless we hear from you to the contrary
we will make shipment as soon as these are tested. We
anticipate this will be in about one week.

Yours truly.

Jufius Kituj (Optical' Crotupatip

t H4

GvtH

\yv

II1)

New York.

March 7, 1917.

4

Thos. ..
Orange,
N.J

A. Edison, Inc.

'A

v

Mr. w. H. Meadoworoft.

Tinted Lenses.

In accordance with telephone
conversation of this morning, we are sending one
pair of Akopos lenses of shade we designate AK+D.
These are ground to fit the Dust safe goggle we
forwarded to you several days ago.

We are unable to supply
Euphos glass, whioh we talked shout.

/7 The Crook* 8 lenses, whioh

we also mentioned, can he furnished at a cost
of $3.00 per pair.. They will have t0 ^® ground
to specification and we are not proceeding with
this work until we hear from you.

We feel sure either Akopos
or Crook's lenses will be found most efficient
in interfering with the passage of ultra violet
light.

SPW/ELF

l CaersmunrarG Board

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

i3Park.Rojv, New York

lRojv, NkwY<

i

lo the member b of the Haval Consulting Board.

Dear Sira:

The Buggeation has been made by Mr.
Maxim and approved by the Chairman that Saturday
morning be devoted to meetings of the various
oommittees and that the Board as a whole after
oonvening at ten o'olook will adjourn its meeting
until 1.30 P.M. Those Chairmen of oommitteeB
who can be reaohed by local telephone will be
notified today of the above arrangement.

TR/gt

HAVAL C0HSU1T1H0 BOARD

March 0,1917.

•Ur.- It. C. Cotabieh,

General Gales Hanogor ,

national Carbon Corn; any,
Cleveland , Ohio.

Dear Mr. Cotabieh-:

Hone of the complete of carbon¬
ized soods so far sent are good. Hiey ceora to
have been carbonised 'too -rapidly at the start.

"he epidermis on coeds is very donee, and it takes
a long tlmo'for the gases of the pern to penetrate
outwardly to prevent disruption.

2ho carbonised seeds which I buy from you,
{ such as are suppliod to tho he oust icon poople)
are very pood.. Cannot tho various soods I have
sent be put through tho same procoss?

lours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

National Carbon Company

™ CLEVELAND, OHIO. u,s.A.

March 8th 1917

MARK REPLY NCC

Mr Wo H Meadowcroft
ABat to Mr Thoa A Edison
Orange H J

Dear Sir:-

Have just received yours of
seeds which will have our attention.

I am sending you under separate cover
are carbonized in accordance with our
sist of the following items:

the 6th with package of Poppy

today eight samples, all of which
MD" process. These samples con-

fl is Celosia Plumosa
2 is English Charlock

The other bottles are labeldd as follows:

Black Mustard

White Clover

Turnip Early White Milan

Dwarf Essex Rape

Henderson Cabbage Selected

Cockscomb

I trust they will reach you in good shape.

Yours very truly,

ll&rph 9;i0i7

She- John A. hrashonr Co., ltd.,

Allegheny, Ponna. .

Gentlemen;

She throe- inch triplet you cent is a
long way. in the direction of what I .want, but I
thinh -more can bo accomplished at leas ewponse
by /sacrificing some of the flatness of field
• color corroctioh and definition which, are not
’ oeBohtial for the use to which the instrument,
will be pat. '

- She .conditions -undor Which the instru¬

ment will bo used do- not roquire the emergent
bocn^to enter al/4 inch pupil, and I believe
tbat;'a' lens 4rl/2 or 5 -inches aperture', and the
same' focal, longth as your 3"; triplet will- not -
be boyona the limit whore increase in aperture '
produces no. incroaso- in efficiency in this
; spocial oase. • " . . , •

Could you mal:o one for mo? It would
bo proforablo , if it could bo mad o out of domes¬
tic glass so they could be rogularly moab in
large numbors.

.. "lours vory truly.

I, larch 0, -193,7.

Dr. F. B. Jowott, C. E.,

Western Electric Co.,

. 463 Host Street, -

' How York, H.Y.

l!y dear Dr. Jowott: „

Since, writing you on the 7 th
instant In regard to tho raatorial brought out
hero by your Engineers about February Diet ord
February 22d, our Jir. iCennedy has called my atten¬
tion to the fact' that Hr. Kathos tolophoned him,
and that. he has subsequently found tho following,
•Which at .the time of writing 1 Was undo r the
impression liad been sont baok. . Wo therefore,
he vo the following horo, namely: •

2 - Type "V" elements §15020 and 15035; -
1 -• Circuit board on which wao mounted
1 vaccum tube socket;

1 special ;?43-A retardation coil;

1 4-ohm rheostat;

1 1-mf .condoncor..

Wo are still unablo to find tho other
.throe #146 Koch Ivors . .

Yours vory-' truly, ;

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

f

- Cer/l

7ctA iiyC _ ' £a*£j !r&<,U huteu^
Ir&ik £Cc-v^

£)lA

(fyLcudt. h LU4s/'**-t'tf'

C. - /‘k't,C$-C’Ul4-i,u de.&LrC^t-e^tf' _

-£cu£\

OFFICE OF THE

INSPECTOR OF ORDNANCE IN CHARGE

Naval Amm^tloneD|ggts N TH E NEW YORR D1STR1CT

IONA ISLAND, N. Y., March 9 , 1917 .

Superintendent ,

Edison Laboratory,
Orange, II. J.

Dear Sir:

In obedience to Bureau of Ordnance, llavy Department,
instructions of March 2, 1917, the following have this day
been turned over to the National Express Company for shipment,

charges prepaid:

1 - crate containing:

1 - 1-pdr. ammunition chest containing

25 - 1-pdr. Cartridges, target, SPD 1095, weight
of charge 35 grams, I. V. 1000 f. s.

Respectfully yours,

, , , -f(MA»r*Ls

Inspector of Ordnance in Charge,
Naval Ammunition Depots in the
New York District .

tHt-4 ~~

u>: ft . — f

H^-ti Ajo^J Oa

oltapkia^

Crwc An#u i^rU tjuf&rf i^yftjk, -

National Carbon Company

Ur Thos A Edison
Orange N J

Dear Ur. Edi?on:-

I have' just -received your letter of the 8th stating you are not
getting results with seeds sent. I am afraid we are working at cross purposes.

Thus far, please keep in mind, we have had no information from your department
indicating the object you wish to attain. I think we can help you more intelligently
if you will give us some idea of what you are endeavoring to accomplish or in other
words, give us some idea of the function to be performed by carbonised seeds.

Although there has been nothing in your correspondence, we have assumed that the
globular carbon, such as used by th e Ac oust icon Co. has perhaps not quite suited
your purpose and that by the use of seeds' you wish to obtain something more
eenitive and it is on this theory that we have been working.

Please understand we are not trying to pry into your experiments except to the ex¬
tent of getting some idea as to why the globular carbonB such as aroused by tele¬
phone manufacturers are not suited for your purpose and wherein you wish a globular
carbon to differ from that generally used.

Fearing that you may be laboring under a misapprehension, I mi ght state also that
the globular carbon used by telephone companies is not manufactured from seeds but
is small carbon pellets manufactured in the green state as near spherical as
possible and then carbonized.

If you can give us a little more information, perhaps with our knowledge of carbon
making, we may bo able , to assist you in producing that which you require and do
it more intelligently. At the present time we are working in the dark and merely
carrying out your instructions to carbonize the various seede which have been Bent

We will be glad to co-operate with you to the fullest limit and anything you may
say to us, you can rest assured will be treated confidentially.

Yours very truly,

Colonel D. Skorrett,

Commanding Fort Hancock.

fills will intro due o to you Ur.

J. f . Cheelor ono of the Kkperimontors from
my laboratory who comes to tho Hook to locate
and eroct a small shanty on theDock, . for
which you have given permission. He will
arrange, for a local carponter . f irm to do tho
work and piece it at best point for us and
the least' ineonvenienoo to you. ■

iioapoctfully.

’.arch 12, 1917.

Ur. H. c. Cotabish,

General Soles I,:gr. ,

Motional Carbon Co. ,

Cleveland, Ohio.

Dear Sir:

Your favor of the Gth inotant came to hand in duo time,
and this morning i have received the U samples of Seeds, all of
which are carbonised in accordance with your -H" process. 1 have
handed these to Ur. Edison, who is quito pleased with the
appearance of them. He says they look bettor than those carbonised
by the "A" process.

It is quite an improvement to put these samples in
the small Bottles, as you have done, and Ur. Edison wishes me to
thank you for your courteous attention in this matter.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

c/vx^u.3

" _ 3-_iO'.i-ft>!

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Ilr. H. C. Cotobieh, '

■ Gonoral .auloo ilanafer,

national Carbon Co . , 7

Cleveland, Oliio.

Dear Ur,' Cotabish: .

I have roceivod your favor
of the 10th instant, naturally. I would like
to bo store, explicit, but under present circum¬
stances cannot be specific any farther than is
contained- in this letter.

' -She .last lot of carbonized soodo,
(treatment. D) are very 'much better.

I had supposed, fron-the fact of the
, ncousticon balls being hollow , that they wore
made, from seeds , and I thought that I could
get some that might have a poliGhod surface,
in this ^ hgvo boon disappointed.

• She soods that, you havo carbonized
for mo are satisfactory- oxcoi't that the Burfaco
is rough. I havo boon polishing them, but re¬
sults have not boon vory satisfactory.

Would it bo .possible for you to
treat them so that thoy. would havo a polished
surface? •

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

United States Navy Yard,

NEW YORK, N. Y

!, larch 12, 191V.

My dear Mr. Edison:

From my conversation with you yesterday I think it
would help you in your work and so be of advantage to
us all if you could arrange to spend a few days in this
yard. I have a large house and would feel honored if
you would stop with me. I will get my experts in all
the various lines of work to show you all that we have.
They will be as pleased at the opportunity to do so as
I am. You can go through our ships, shops, and draft¬
ing rooms, or wherever you will, ana everyone from the
Commandant down will be glad to do everything possible
that you wish. I will see that you are properly attended
everywhere but without any fuss or ceremony.

i if you cannot spare

Very sincerely yours

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, E. J.

/•*

1N BEPLY HEADQUARTERS EASTERN DEPARTMENT

REFER TO GOVERNORS ISLAND. NEW YORK CITY

070/3 Submarine detector. March 12th, 1917.

Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
LLewollyn Park,

Tie at Orange, H.J.

My dear Mr.

The War Department has
headquarters of your desire
perimentation and that you
a house near tho main dock

telegraphed these
j for a place for ex-
ahould like to have
at Sai dy Hook.

We have been in communication wit
Officer of Sandy Hook who informs us
small houses on the wharves there arc
he sees no objection to you erecting
iron structure you refer to. Wo have
War Dopartmnnt accordingly.

l the Commanding
that all the

This department
Port Hancock will be
any way you may deal
soon as your plans h
can bo of any assist

and tho Commanding Offic;
glad to cooperate with j
re to aid in your work, t
lave reached a point when
lance to you, please let »

John H. Wash

VATKR FRONT INVKSTME

lion. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, New Jersey.

Dear Mr. Edison!

You will recall the privilege you and your Board accorded me at
Admiral Ushers' office in the Navy Yard in presenting Jamaica Bay -
Sheepshead Bay as a possible location for the laboratories of the
Naval Advisory Board.

1 have read with interest about your submission to the Secretary
of the Navy of your minority report favoring Sandy Hook, or, as one
newspaper put it, as favoring New York.

The Plum Island reservation of the United States Government, lo¬
cated at sheepshead Bay and opposite Manhattan Beach and diagonally be¬
hind the new great Rockaway fortifications, with plenty of water front
and but a short distance from Ambrose Channel, would, I feel confident,
appeal to you most favorably in comparison with Sandy Hook.

The subject is of intense interest to the citizens of Greater New
York and the matter has been carefully considered by the of f lei al s of
the City.

Mr. R. A. C. Smith, Commissioner of Docks, knows this territory
and the conditions very well and could enlighten you on all the details
thereof in a brief interview or by correspondence. I think you should
know the facts if you have not already been informed of them.

Personally, I can see no objection why this institution should not
be located near New York City. The question of impregnability is a
minor one, for New York should be worth saving. Our national defences
of New York City should be positively impregnable before any other sec¬
tion of the country is made so, and I am inclined to think that it can
be made so as readily as any other section of the country. The brain
power of the nation is also centred within 800 miles of the Metropolis,
and the many other advantages toward bringing this institution to the
vicinity of New York in my opinion proves the wisdom of your viewpoint.

If you are not arbitrarily in favor of Sandy Hook, would you be
willing to submit a supplemental report on Plum Island should it appeal
to you as an alternative location?

nmunlcatlons should

9 "The Chief of Ordnance, U. S. Army, ’

All*/

March 12, 1917.

lit replying refer to No. -

Mr • 23iom as A • 3d is on,
-Ssfct Orange,

Hew Jersey.

Sir:

I am instructed hy the Chief of Ordnance
to inform you that there has been transmitted
to this office hy the Secretary of War a let¬
ter from the Secretary of the Havy, stating
that you were desirous of sending two of your
staff to the Sandy Hook Proving Ground, Sandy
Hook, H.J., for the purpose of making some ex¬
periments in the development of a range finder
actuated hy sound waves.

The Commanding Officer, Sandy Hook Proving
Ground, has this day been informed that your
request has been approved and authorised to
permit you to make such experiments as you may
desire at the Proving Ground, through the mem¬
bers of your staff, it being understood that
such experiments are not to interfere with the
regular progress of work at the Proving Ground,
i'o effect the necessary arrangements, it is
requested that you communicate directly with the
Commanding Officer, Sandy Hook Proving Ground.

Respectfully,

U it. Col. , Ord.Dopt .

IJQXCh 13,1917.

Capt. G. E. Bura, U..S. II.,

United Statos Iluvy Yard, -
Ilow York, Il.x.

Hyiidoar Captain 3urd :

i have received your favor
of tho 12th instant ana I wish to express ray -
appreciation of your hind invitation to go ovor
to tho . Ilavy' Yard and spend a fow days-

I hayo so . many experiments in- progroES
horo that I do not quite see how I can ho away
more than a aay at a time without serious hind¬
rance to tho work that is going on. Howovcr,

I want to spend a full day with you vory soon,
and will make an parly start from homo some morn¬
ing with thpt end in view, out 1 shall havo to
return at night so that T can have my people re¬
port to mo on tho various exporimonts that aro
being conducted . If X can cubsoquontly spend
another day with you to advantage, I will follow
the came v.roccduro. 2hus 1 shall ho ahlo to
keep ray finger on tho pulco.

' hot mo thank-you for your very kind
invitation to stay ovor with you at your house.

Yours sSnceroly,

A/2552.

March 13th, 1917,

Mr, Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, IT. J,

Dear Mr. Edison:

The Campbell devices for finding and destroying

_ SUBMARINES, the plans and specifications of which

you" will remember I exhibited to you early in 1915, seem now
to merit instant consideration by our own Government. Will
you give Mr. Campbell an opportunity to show you? Personally
I am anxious you should. Any time or place convenient to you
will be agreeable to Campbell. Advise me.

Very truly yours,

jtohd* A® iBrahmiibar Co« Lm

MHMHORIUL AMD PBt«W. "W**"*™"*"

V /orfk COMMERCIAL

U-DETECTQRS '
BEING TESTED

American Scientists Trying
Out New Inventions .
for Navy

EDISON HEADS BODY

LOUISVILLE (XyO '«***■

March 14,1917

Mr. P. B. Shaw,

Pennsylvania Bide**

Philadelphia , Pa.

Dear 'Mr. Shaw:

Your favor of the 13th ins tunt to
»Tr. Kdieon has boon received. Ho has boon v.ork-
inp about 20 hours a day for the-last six or seven
■nooks on experiments for the Government, end he

- does not even sec, his regular mail, do till not
make any appointments., fhe Officers of our ovn
Cbm>aniec, and tho so of the inner circle ccnr.ot.
even soo him. except in urgent matters of tho.nigh-
est importance.

You may readily imagine that, he is deluged
trith. oupnoEtions,. ideas and inventions
matters' of national Defense. It would be .hysica_ly
for him to Avon spare tho time to loot. ■
a??hoS indeed; he 2ms declined to look at any of
. .them, and has ins true tod no to say to ovoryohh t-ot
such invontionc, idoas and sungos^io.is -kould bo

- brought to tho attention of :.!r. Chornac Rosins, the
Secretary of the naval Consulting Board, 13 Pap*.
Bow, How York, It.'?. 2horo arc many. Committees of
the Board,' and ilr.. RobinB-rofors those mat.ois to

, 'tlio propor. Connittoo .

.<■ ••• with kind regards, I remain,

•Yours-' very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

2o Executives ana Heads of Departments:

Ur. Edison is having groat difficulty
in concentrating his attention on his present
important experiments, because he is interrupted
so frequently.

He wishes to bo left entirely free
to go on with his work, and desires that just
now everyone will please keep away from him,
except as follows:

(1J Persons who are working
with him on his present experiments.

( 2 ) persons for whom he send b •

(3) fhoeewho have very important
questions which require immediate
decision by him.

b.H.UEADOWCROi’2.

Uarch 14,1917.

w V: & «

3s

k

&

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

1'arch !•>, 1917

Hr. John H. bard,

#41 IJarJc Row,
iiew York City.

Dear Sir:

Your favor of the 12th instant to .\!r. Edison has been
received. He requests us to say that so far as he kno ws, there
has been no definite location chosen for the Naval Experimental
Laboratory. The Board has under consideration a number of sites
that have been proposed.

Yours very truly,

EDISOH LABORATORY,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

West Orange, N.J.

Dear Sir:

I take great pleasure in sending to you a copy of QST.

This is the official organ of The American Radio Relay League,
an organization of the amateurs. . We have succeeded in relaying
a message from New York, City to Los Angeles and back in less than
tv/o hours. This is only an example of what we have done. Our
amateur system is extended all over the country and reachable not
only by wireless but through QST. I fel t that you would surely
be interested if you have not already heard of our League. We
wish to assure you that our membership can be counted on in time
of necessity. It might also be of great value in certain scientif¬
ic work; for example, were it necessary to have delicate receiving
sets in all parts of the country, we already have them and could
be commandered at a moment’s notice.

In these serious times I know you will welcome knowledge
which may be benefioial no matter how small it may seem. I wish
to plaoe at your disposal our paper for any suggestions which you
may wish to bring before the amateur wireless operators, who I

hope will form the personnel of an operating system, under Govern¬
ment control.

Respectfully yours.

Cable Address- JULIUS king, NEW YORK.

(2 '4£te$^'/c/

March 14, 1917.

Mr. Wm. H. Meadoworaft,

Crooks Lenses

^s{)

We are sending by Paroel
Post today (1) pair Crooks lenses ground with¬
out foous and supplied with thin white lenses,
whioh may be mounted to proteot the more ex¬
pensive Crooks lenses, if it is so desired.

These Crooks lenses have
proven to be very effioient in cutting off
the injurious light r^ys and are the nearest
to a oolorless glass yet produced for this
purpose.

As we have done before,
memorandum will be kept of these lenses and
we will be very glad to hear Mr. Edison's
report.

7/n KcCCrt

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National Carbon Company

CLEVELAND. OII1

March 15th 1917

MAim nr.(»LV NCC

Mr Thos A Edison
Orange N J

Dear Mr. Edison:-

Replying to youre of the 12th, we are sorry we
cannot help you out on the matter of polishing aoousticon halls.

This would be a very hard proposition on account of the fact that
the balls are hollow and naturally will not stand much strain.

If polished surfaces are essential in your experiments, we believe
you will obtain the required results by carrying on your experiments
with our acousticon balls, rather than seeds because you will find
the crushing strength of the acousticon ballB 1b much greater than
that of seeds.

With your extensive laboratories, we believe you are in as good a
position to carry on these polishing experiments sb we are because
of the fact that we are loaded to the guards with work of all character
and to carry on polifching experiments would mean designing a machine of
some sort for this purpose which would not only require time in design¬
ing but would also moan a delay in the construction of same owing to
the fact that our machine shop it now three to four months' behind
in their work.

Yours very truly,

NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY

COLUMBIA BATTERIES — I

LONGER.

Hnroli 15, 1917

Dear llr Meadoworoft:

Before I put away your letter la the files
I mu moved to ask whether Ur Edison found the young
men helpful to him In his purposes. 1 hope that If
X onn be of any help to him in the future, either
direotly or indireotly, he will let me know.

I hove hod a beautiful letter from Urs Edison
within the post few days.

Sincerely yours

’torch 10, 1917

lion. Joeophus Daniels,

Vi&chinrton, D. C.

Ity dear llr. Daniels:

In last Sunday's llev; lorl:
limes there v.ae an iten from IVaehincton to the
of foot that I hod submitted 14 reports.

I had previously writton to' tho How 1'orh
paper’s asking thorn not to publish any news of
this kind, .and'hnvo recoivod prosiioo from most
of thorn to comply.

would it not ho well to caution your
people not even to rnontion ny nano in connoction
with tho vrorkV

yours very, truly,

A ' ~ - • . •

ISamm* Consulting Bom®

or mis r>iTEU status

klmbk A. SPBKRV

March 16, 1917 •

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

So . Orange , N . J.

My dear Mr. Edison:

Finding that Mr. Addicks is out of town, and thinking
that there might he some points in the enclosed reports that
would he helpful for you to know, X am taking the liberty of
sending you full copies. If there is anything that has come
across my experience with torpedoes, mines (which we are
building here), or the handling of submarine nets in rough
weather and in snow storms, as we have been doing in the past
two weeks, be sure to command me, as anything that I have is
at your service, as you may want.

With cordial personal regards, I am,

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

February 28, 1917 •

(Excerpt of Report of Mr. Bassett)

Every one was on hand In Boston, at the appointed time,

Friday morning. We all went to the Navy Yard and were taken from
there aboard a Navy tug out to the Boston Light ship. There we
examined sn installation of the Fessenden oscillator and saw
it operate. We then went off about five miles from the lightship
and received signals from them through the water. We received
both with microphones and with another oscillator. The oscillator
sounded clearer as a receiver than the microphones. But the
microphones were not very sensitive as they were not built for
delicate work.-

On our return to Boston we went to Professor Fessenden's
Laboratory and met him personally. He is working on telephoning
with his oscillator and has been successful up to distances ex-
oeeding one half mil©*

Saturday morning we went through the sea-sled factory where
they had some fifty foot hydroplanes under construction. The
sea-sled seems to be a most interesting and revolutionary advance in
large speed boats .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

March. 15, 19X7.

Mr. Lawrence Addlcks,

Chairman, Committee on Special Problems,
126 Liberty St.,

New York.

Dear Mr. Addioka:

SUBJECT : Report on Special Experiments on Submarine
Net, Made on Nest Coast of Florida,

March, 1917.

The very great usefulness of some form of electric
circuit controlling net is so obvious, its application could
be utilized in bo many ways, and it having been brought to the
attention of some members of the Board, X thought it best to
make actual trials on something simulating a full Beale, to
ascertain the exact conditions that will be found to exist
where nets made up of alternately rigidly attached and in¬
sulated crossings of the lateral and vertical members to make
a net, which, although mechanically, constitutes a single unit,
would be electrically two separate and distinct units, with .
opposite sides of all meshes of opposite polarity. The various
forms in which the modern practically indestructible insulating
members can be constructed render such a net perfectly practicable
from a mechanical standpoint, and it was to test out the
electrical possibilities that the experiments were undertaken.

•The experiments were also designed to test out and
setiie once for all the practical operation of the ' so-called
critical electrolytic voltage, which is supposed to approximate

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mr. Addloks - 2.

1.6 voltaj the practical application being to see whether
lower voltages than this could be utilized to distinguish dead
short circuits from the circuit which included the sea water
as electrolyte.

The place of the experiment was the west shore of the
Keys, lying some eight miles west of Belaire, Florida.

The water was clear and warm, so that the various
persona could be depended upon to work continuously in their
bathing .suits in the surf. The water was the standard brine
that obtains in the Gulf of Mexico. The tides were about one
foot six, and low tide was selected as the beginning of the
experiment, it being about 1:30 P.M. Qalvanized wire No* 12
gauge, well selected, was used, giving about 2$ square feet
of exposed area for each 1,000 feet of length. This measures
on the order of six ohms per thousand feet. It was found to
be thoroughly insulated when lying upon the dry hot sand.

Three of these strands, with ends fastened to Georgia
pine stakes, and each end brought out on the shore, were strung
along the coast, the stakes being 1,000 feet apart. The two
outside wires were distributed as follows with reference to the
central wire — the outer one toward the sea, being about two
feet, arid the in-shore one, ten feet*- all wires being submerged
Different voltages were now applied between the wires at one end
and the wires were carefully short circuited, commencing at the
far end and coming forward to within a few feet of the initial
immersion.

There were plaoed in circuit a milliameter and voltages

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mr. Addioks -3.

ranging from 35/100 of a volt (secured by placing a dry cell
and a storage battery in opposition) with various farther ad¬
justments of voltage up to about 15 volts - the wires being also
tested by a bridge. The mean resistance between the center wire
and either of the outer wires was found to be about 3,3 ohms,
whloh was very constant.

It was found, even at the lowest voltage applied to the
system, that in the 1,000 foot strands the exposed area was of such
magnitude as to give very complete conduction from wire to wire,
through the electrolyte, so much so that the dead metallic circuit
would not cause variation in the amperes flowing. This was true
for short clrouits at the further end; and for short circuits
completed beneath the surface of the water at 9/l0, down to about
3/10 of the length of the net nearer than this, the short circuit
when completed made Itself felt, but gave only trifling variations
in the amperes flowing, until within the last 100 feet of the
end at which the instruments were located and electro-motive
force applied. The only indication that the so-called law had
any effect whatever was that the electro-motive forces below 1.8
seemed to give somewhat more differential than the eleotro-motive
forces above thiB point.

A number of other experiments were tried, but the results
were perfectly definite, and positive data of them is in hand.

The distances were laid out with muoh oare and all results ohecked
by two or more observers. There was not the slightest indication

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mr. Addioks - l+*

of any break or change at any particular electro-motive force,
such, for lnatanoe, as 1.6, during any part of the teat, which
would indicate that any such critical electro-motive force exists
under conditions here present.

The thanks of the Board are due the Peninsula Telephone
Company, located at Tampa, Florida, ». Q. Brorein, president.

The experts of this Company aided In the experiments, and thanks
are also due to them. They are Mr. A. B. Jordan, Supt. of
Equipment, Mr. J. F. Vaughan, Supt. of Construction, Mr. R. L.

Raymond, Electrical Assistant, and Mr. A. B. Stewart, auditor.

COROLPSIONS

X. On the very large exposed area the two sides of
any electrical net would be completely short-circuited by the
high conductivity of the ocean water Itself at any practical
voltage .

2. Practically no amount of short circuiting would change
the electrical conductivity of the net, under conditions of e.m.f.
furnished from an outside source.

3. Nets or similar structures, employing electricity
from outside sources will operate as strictly short circuited
conductors .

k. The conditions seem to prevail practically Instantaneously
upon contact being made. No observation was made that would
indicate that alternating e.m.f. would operate any differently
than direct. Mr. Raymond suggested that the conditions would
probably be different If the net itself developed its own e.m.f.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mr. Addioks - 5*

It is thought that the deterioration factor on the side of the
net, which is slowly going into solution, under these conditions
would probably render it prohibitive, but nevertheless it might
be wise to give further thought to this particular feature in
some of its aspects.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) Elmer A. Sperry.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Secret and Confidential
AUTOMATIC NETS

The moat effective way now known to render nets automatic
is that of placing in the middle of quite extensive nets an
innocent looking buoy of riveted boiler plate. This buoy re¬
sembles a contact mine and is just the kind of thing that any .
boat would naturally shun. Any disturbance at any part of the
net (i.e. if any portion of the net takes on a predetermined
speed of knots) causes a sudden transformation to take
place in the buoy, which suddenly presents a twenty foot mast
with umbrella-like antennae, constituting a very simple wireless
plant of thirty miles range, which starts in and for an hour
and a half repeats the number of the buoy by wireless.

This has been developed for England and the Navy and
is a secret device, and this information must be treated in
strict confidence. We are just about to test this out on
No. 1 net outside New York Harbor. Later we will probably
use our own net, as the Harbor net is considered too heavy,
being made up of 5A cable, whereas the English mobile nets
are muoh lighter.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Secret and Confidential
PIG TORPEDOES

Special armament against submarines. This consists vir¬
tually of torpedoes each a little over six inches in diameter and
five feet long, self-propelled, operating at 50 knots, with a
range of three to four thousand yards, carrying 15 pounds of T.N.T.,
and working at any fixed depth between 5 feet and 1+0 feet, usually
being set for 21 feet, which is about the depth of the middle of
the hull of the submarine with a normal periscope exposure.

The torpedoes are expelled from a very light swivel gun
held at the shoulder, sighted as in the case of an ordinary shot gun,
and after being dropped into the sea plunge to the set depth and
run straight to the mark. It is believed that these shots, which
can be depended upon to travel under water, form probably the best
defense against submarines for boats both in and out of the Navy.
They can be expelled at the rate of from four to six a minute in
the general direction of the submarine, after the periscope has
been detected, and it is only necessary for one to take effect,
the size of the hole blown in standard submarine plating at the
depth of 21 feet by 12 pounds T. N. T. being known to be large
enough for a man to walk through. Some of the aviation officers
of both Army and Navy are looking forward to this light weight
torpedo (being less than 100 lbs.) as the most suitable one for
launching from aeroplanes against submarines and all but the
heaviest naval and marine craft.

This has been developed for the United States Navy and is
a secret device, and this information must be treated in strict

confidence .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

SUBMARINES

I. Indications of Presence.

(a) Periscope. White wake when submarine Is In motion,

constituting disturbances of the surface, which are
less and less apparent as the submarine runs at
greater depths. Captain Gaunt, British Naval Attache
told me that the wake was perfectly apparent in all
but the heaviest sea, when the submarine was running
• 80 feet submerged, and even then when the observer

was dead aft or in line of the submarine's travel.

(b) Protrusion of periscope, constituting a visible mark

when submarine Is stationary.

(c) Oil globules, which continually come to the surface

and spread out, and it is said can be seen and traced
for considerable distances, especially from an aero¬
plane observer.

Note. It is stated that old whalers are the best
men to use on the bridge for detecting the presence
of submarines, being familiar as they are with the
slightest disturbance or abnormal condition on any
part of the surface of the sea, usually imperceptible
to the untrained eye.

II. General Visibility from Aeroplanes

(a) It is stated that a submarine has been seen at Gibraltar

at 25 fathoms by an aeroplane.

Note . Bearing on this subject, when the Great South
Bay is smooth, from an aeroplane only the bottom is
seen, and many accidents have happened by an aviator
coming down and encountering the surface before he
supposed he had. re ached the surface* The death and
smash-up within the last three months at Philadelphia
is an instance of this kind.

(b) At anything but the deepest submersion when the surface

is not too troubled, the big black hulk of a submarine
can be easily seen from an aeroplane flying about 500
feet above the surface. This has been repeatedly
demonstrated In tests at Pensacola.

lit. Audibility •

As to the audibility It would seem that the low tones
can be heard close by. One authority says four miles,
but fails to say what it was that was heard. The high
note emanating from the sing of the commutator can
be heard, much further -- I understand about fifteen
miles in extreme cases.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

-2-

IV. Protection against.

As protection against submarines, an explosion of the
nearby charge will certainly work disaster to a
submarine. 150 lbs. of T. N. T. will deliver a shock
of about 260 pounds per square inch at 110 feet
from a submarine. A submarine Is built to stand
89 pounds pressure per square inch, with an unknown
factor of safety at 250 feet submergence, which it
approaches with great caution.

NETS

Nets have been the most fruitful means of capturing
submarines. The nets are supported by buoys and are dragged
between trawlers, or emplaced entirely free, the buoys being
provided with little flags, which are watched constantly by
.the mosquito fleet. The difficulty with this is that the
mosquito fleet cannot live in heavy weather, and the watching
is very difficult in fog. To such an extent is this true that
the Germans are said to select heavy weather and fog conditions
to get through the English Channel and other localities known
to be protected by nets.

The submarine does not know that it has encountered a
net until the net is folded back over the submarine to a con¬
siderable extent, and it commences to drag a large percentage
of the total length of the net, when it begins to feel the re¬
tardation. Some times it can even then back out of the net
successfully, but in weather where the mosquito fleet can
operate, they see the flags moving off and signal for the
torpedo boat destroyer to come with its vertical dropping bombs.
These are dropped directly over the acute angle of the traveling
net, and it is said that oil rises” to the surface, indicating that
a shot has taken effect.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

-5-

Another way has been to attempt grappling the submarine
and tipping her over — thus killing the occupants - and
afterwards salvaging the submarine. X have my doubts of this
being true.

The so-called razor blades on the nose projections
of submarines as an armament against nets are probably of no
value, as the hard steel of the wire and the gentle contact
would leave, the net practically unaffected by any such device.
It is thought that none but a very comprehensive use of nets
will serve the purpose. This requires altogether too extensive
a mosquito fleet to be practical. For instance, the stretching
of nets from Holland to the Norway coast, thus cutting off the
North Sea, would require about 260 miles of nets; and in this
instance it is contemplated using automatic nets, whereby
any disturbance in the net by a submarine is made known.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

-k-

DEFENSE AGAINST TORPEDOES

It is believed that the Lion or equivalent method of nearby
explosion may be made effective in crippling oncoming torpedoes.

Two nets: for ships that are standing still would be
effective, but nets at best are very undesirable, owing to the
continual trouble of entanglement with the ship's propelling
machinery. The most effective method is believed to be the honey¬
combing of the hull belt at the proper submergence, which is a
very great gain from a number of standpoints, eliminating the
possibility cf any entanglement with the propellers, being equally
serviceable at all speeds, and protecting against mines as well as
torpedoes. The mines, as a matter of fact, have less explosive
charge than the torpedoes, except perhaps the rumored Bhort range
torpedoes the Germans are using in their submarines. Some accounts
give this charge as high as lj.00 pounds, which is not generally
believed.

DEFENSE AGAINST SUBMARINES

The officers who have in charge the study of the arming of
merchant vessels tell me that the conclusion reached (whether
the advices are later overruled remains to be seen) is that small
one-pounders, semi-automatic, shooting about twenty shots to a
minute (about four guns to a ship), are the best. protection. These
shots are explosive and are all that is necessary to drive the
submarine below the surface and keep it submerged. A submerged
submarine is operating at a great disadvantage, because of the
three-fold difficulty of limited vision, slower speed, and much
greater difficulty in maneuvering.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

(j

SUMMARY OF SELECTED
U.S. NAVY INTELLIGENCE PAMPHLETS

Confidential

Ho. 5589 Gorman TorpodooB, Mines oto.

German torpedoes are of two sizes 53 cm. and 46 cm.
The 63 cm. torpodoes are need mostly on submarines. Battle¬
ships and torpedo boatB also uoe moro 53 om. torpodoes than
45 om.

The torpedoos used by the U boats diffor in no way
from the torpodoes used by the other naval units.

The 53 om. carries 180 kilos of explosive. The
45 om. .carries 108 kilos of explosive. The German mines
also carry 180 kilos of explosive*

Ho. 6731 Operations of German U B 26.

U B 26 whon passing through tho Straits of Dover
was frequently covered by English searchlights from the
coast but was not perceived by the numerous patrol ships
which it could distinguish. (This note Bhows how incon¬
spicuous the peri sc ope is and how bold a submarine may bo
after dark. Tho faot that tho submarine could distinguish
the patrols shows that it was probably within 2 miles or so
of them.

Ho. 5126 Methods of sighting and destroying submarines.

Tried by the English at Gibraltar. Alrc'raft oan

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

discover and follow submarines when they aro 25 fathoms
deep at Gibraltar. One method of destroying submarines
is by supplying a number of ships with mines which they
tow at a depth., of about 60 fathomB. When a patrol or
airplane discovers a hostile submarine theso ships are
summoned. They cluster around the vicinity where the
submarine was Been to submerge and explode their mlnoB.

Ho groat success has been claimed yet for this scheme.

Another method now quite largely used, is the
towing of a large net by two trawlers. Various attachments
have been tried out on theso nets -

1. Minos have boon fastenod at intervals along the net
which can be explodod by tho trawlers in case they net a
submarine .

2. Calcium flares aro secured to the net so that they
float on the surface. In oase of netting a submarine, the
flares are submerged and the contact with tho water sets
off the flares as warning to the trawlers.

6073 Submarine Deteotors.

In the early part of the Gorman undersea oampaign
there wore periodB when for four months at a time no
German submarine was captured by any British Haval Unit.

This was said to be due to the use by the Gormans
of a hydrophone which consisted of some sonoitive form of
microphone. By this instrument they wore givon plenty of
warning to submerge.

Great Britain within the last year has been in-

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

o tailing similar apparatus on all their submarines and
other Ships and expect this Installation to bo completed
by Maroh 1917.

They find these detectors indisponalblo and have
started a training school for the "listeners". Blind
mon have boon found to be 25* more efficient for this
service than normal men. All crews now have two or three
expert listeners to take shifts at the microphones. After
some experience the listeners can determine the direction
of a ship within 2 points of the compass. They can also
learn to distinguish the various kinds of vessels by the
sounds.

As to range of these microphones, England claims
B to 8 miles. Italy obtains results up to 8 miles. The
French can detect a submarine at 10 Km. when the boat
carrying the microphone is at anchor.

. , „ May 31st, 1916.

<afll Small Submarines,. *

The Optical firm of Goerz & Co. have been manu¬
facturing submarines for the German Government. They
first made a small type of bubmarine 22 motors In length
having 2 Diesel engines 300 I H P and could carry 2 tons
of fuel. Personnel - 0 $o 8. Single screw. 2 periscopes,
panorama periscope masnifying 8 diam. Fifteen of those
were sent to Turkey and the Mediterranean but active servico
found them inadequate and their manufacture has been discon¬
tinued. 40 meter, 600 HP boats are now being made In their
place .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mo. 6932 Protection of Ships against Torpedoes..

Captain Karl Oscar Leon, Swfedish Havy, Stockholm,
has taken out patents oh, a method of protection against
torpedoes consisting of the firing of a counter charge
from submerged tubes to meet the torpedo. Captain Leon
states that his experiments show that with 100 Kg of gun¬
cotton, ho could render harmless a torpodo anywhere within
26 meters of tho explosion. The torpedo either being de¬
tonated or else caused to run wild by deBtruotion of the
mechanism.

The method is as follows:- Three or four ejecting
tubes are arranged at intervals along the sides of tho
ship. These tubes are equipped with means of firing out
explosive charges to a distance of about 100 meters from
the ship. Tho tubes ore situated near enough togother so
that the spheres of destructive action of tho explosives
intersect. In this way a torpodo approaching the chip can¬
not roach tho ship without passing through the ooncussion
zone at some point. The efficacy of this plan depends
mainly on the proper timing of tho counter explosives.

This can be done by an observer who when he sees a torpedo
about 200 maters from tho boat immediately starts the
counter charges. These charges have time fuses which de¬
tonate them when they are 76 to 100 meters from the boat,
or at about tho distance whero they meet the approaching
torpedo. If the torpedo is not Itself destroyed, it is
at any rate, brought to the surfaoe by the effect of the
explosion on tho hydrostatic piston.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

- 5 -

Xn automatic attachment 1b also described whereby
the char goo are firod by meono of a oenoitivo microphone
attached to a relay. The microphone le adjusted to operate
tho relay at a predetermined amplitude of vibration or
loudneaa of the sound. This being set to operate at the
Intensity of vibration of a torpedo at 200 meters distance.

Experiments on Subaqueous Pressures.

A standard H 3 mine charge consisting of 160 lbs.

T H T in a brass case 26" x 11.6" was detonated 10 ft.
below the surface. The pressures recorded at different
distances from tho mine wore as follows t-

Eressure in tons per sq.inch

Distance

6 ft.
8

13

14
16

At end

0.46

3.83

2.96

2.69

2.69

a K

T .68

d 1.4

At side

12.46

7.63

2.68

2.71

2.79

Applying the above formula K is found to be 2.98 head on
and 3.92 for the side. K is usually found to be about 3.

Another experiment to determine tho effect of an
air chamber at one end of the charge gave the following

results.

Charge consisted of 50 lbs. T N T in cylindrical
chamber 9-1/4" x 13" with a 10" /chamber at ono end of
cylinder. Detonated 10 ft. below surface. The area of
the dloos on the proBBuro gauges were 3-l/6' sq. in. The
following figures give total pressures In tons against

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

those discs.

End opposite air ahamber - 6.46 tons

« » detonator - - 9.46

Right side - -

Loft side . 7‘68

Another charge fired under identical conditions,
hut without air chamber, gives following figures.

One end - - - “

roi*er-e«d- - - - - -

SS 85

The results show that the distribution of the
force of an explosion can be controlled to some extent.

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

March 19, 1917.

My dear Mr. Edison:

X thank you for your letter of the 16th and I shall
admonish everybody here to refrain from discussing your
work. I do not understand how anyone learned of the num¬
ber of reports you had submitted. They are carefully
guarded here, and further than the statements I have myself
made, which were general and to the effect that you had
been giving practically your whole time and attention since
the Government’s separation of diplomatic relations with
Germany, nothing has been said in this office. But "a
word to the wise is sufficient", and I doubt if you will
see any future reference to the scope of your work.

Cordially yours,

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange,

N. J.

{A'

^vV

SANDY HOOK PROVING GROUND.

P.O.. FORT HANCOCK, N. J. CL'Hli-V/

March 19,1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

East Orange,

I! . J .

Dear Sir: -

The Chief of Ordnance has forwarded to me a copy of

his letter to yon of March 12,1917, relative to experiments that

yon desire to make in the development of a range finder actuated

by sound waves . I shall he glad to furnish you such assistance
under the regulations

in this connection as I can and will appreciate it if you will
A

let me know what nan ho done in the matter.

He spec t fully.

Adoress-JUUUSKING, NEW YORK.

<2 ^euH^orfy

Mar oh 19, 1917.

Thos. A. Edison, Ino.

Orange ,

N. J.

Mr. Wm.H.Meadoworoft.

Quotation

In aooordanoe with your

ssrswa

\for Mr. Edison.

No doubt, he will want to
Return such as have not proven satisfactory
fe thosef^ohWiave“rovIn Impraotical for

■ 1 - work.

On Feb. 8th we delivered
to your messenger (3) P»lr’
goggles fl|»j *J» °»rf“ ;Sl"ppS.d

$1.50 per pair.

on Feb. 10th we sent by
Parcel Post (4) pairs- of ruby lenses at 50*
per pair.

On Mar. 7th we forwarded

are $1.00 per pair.

On Mar. 14th we furnished

(1) •* “~kgl»r.*«p5o:eof«

thin white ooyerglasse * aoratched or

SSSS.: 'Severe S.00 per P*« aooordeno.
.1th our previous 0_011 go.

SPW/ELF

Uarch 20,1917

jaliuc King ' Optical .Co.,

, 10 liaidon. lano ,

Don York, K.Y.

Gontlorr.o'n: Attenti:-; Hr. 5. I1 . • *,.ard :

Your favor of tho 19 th instant hue boon
rocoivod, and, I thank you for your prompt atten¬
tion in Bonding tho itenlaod moniorahdun, of tho ' •
goods/ do i/ar supplied ' to us .

' Hr .'KdlsOn will, koop thorn all, and I ,
will ha vo our yurehaGiug Departraont send you a
regular imrehosb Order to eovor . '

Yours vory truly.

Assistant to I.lr .

Ag(2C21.-

Kdisc

uarch

21,1017

Commanding Officer,

United Statos Ilaval lorpodo
IJotport, Hhodc Island.

Station,

Sir:-

Herouith I eond you. a copy of _a lottbr I
havo received from Hon. Jocophue Daniels, Secro-
.tiiry of thb .ilavy, and in .accordance nitji its
contonts- 1 take ploasuro in introducing to you •

.Prof .'X. >i. Qonpton of Princeton Univorsity.vho

will'tuko up vji'th' you tho subject reforrod to
in -the letter of Hr. Daniels.

lours very truly, ’

a/2G34.

) ••

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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jBtattonal defense Contention
aTrangImInts %\)t J^attonal (t^uarti Association

LABORATORY AND OFFICES

HENRY C. DEMMINQ

•ri3burg, ?a. , March 21, 1917.

Hon. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, How Jersey.

Friend Edison:

X have been working 'f5l“-ye*rS''in ir.y Harrisburg laboratory (
elimination or absorption of various gases, including chlorine, car¬

bon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulphuretted hydrogen, hydrogen, arsen-
ine, and others, and can control them completely with very little ex¬
pense.

In this connection I can take your batteries (made for subma¬
rines! and utilize them in such a way that a submarine can be pro¬
pelled through the water, at surface or submerged, over thirty knots
an hour.

Are you interested? If so, come to Harrisburg next Saturday, the
24th, and I will show you what we can do in the way of absorbing the
first three gases mentioned in this letter.

I hope you are well, prosperous, and happy.

Faithfully yours,

/ te

£} «CO.c,.C
(I.

March £2,1917 .

Ur. Shorias 'Robins, v

Secretary, Bnval Consulting Board,

13 Park Eon,

Hon York, II. Y. • -

Bonr Mr. Robins: _

I am giving this lettor to lir.

And, who was ref errod .to me by Senator John Sharp
Killians in regard to a safoty dovico in connection
with hydroplanoD.

X have soon Mr. And, but have -not oxaminod
his dovico that beinr out of my line. I -havo ro-
forrod him to you, end .told him that you would bring
his dovioo to the attention of tho proper Committee.
Yours very truly.

a /seed.

March 22,1917

Dr. 3?. B. Jewett,.

Chief KnGinoer, .

• tfeetora.. Electric Co. , •

"465 West- Utroot,

Dow York, B.Y.

Uy dear Dr. Jewetts ,

■1 an oondiRg ovor 5 Jr. A. il.
Kennedy .to oeo you in ropai'd to obtaining, some
inf ornuti oh. about the coila for the audion out¬
fit, and ohall. be, greatly obllgod if- you will
enlighten him on the yoihtc that ho will bring,
to your- notice. .

■’ \ Your c. very truly,’

March 22,1917

Dr., John H. Finley, . . . v

, Commissioner of Education,

Albany, IJ.Y.

Dear Dr.' Finley:

Replying to your favor of
tho lbth instant, lot mo say that the young
man, Shoodore irowcomb, who camq from Renss¬
elaer Polytechnic Institute to assist Ur.-
Edison remained hero one day.- Unfortunately
it happened on tho .day. of his arrival tint
Ur. Edison was busily ongagod with one thing
and another and could riot give Ur. Ilowcomb
any problems to work on until the afternoon.

He worked on a- certain problem for a few hours
in the afternoon,- but did not return! by the
next morning. , V,o got a letter from him on
the day af tor that stating that it looked to
him as if ho were wasting t.irao , and. ho did
not think ho could afford to negloct his
College work. He .therofore excused himself
from furthor cervico.

Of com so, that was hie privilogo, .
and I EBay,. nay, for your information, that Ur .
Edison!- had no prejudice nr fooling against
him on that account, but appreciates your
kiridnosB and assistance in tho matter -just
tho some; / ; ..

lours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edioon.

./2C41'. -

LECTOR AND

©ffirt of % CUtts ffllfrk

MUNICIPAL BUILDING

rraior^*/? /

Qy\£t$tfo?t'/cj

XhoB. A. Edison, Ino.
Oranga,

Ur. W.H. Meadoworoft.

%A/

Plaase aooept my thanks
fox your kindnesa of yesterday and your
courtesy in introducing me to Ur. Edison.

I value the honor more than I oan tell you.

This morning 1 received
purohase order, covering goggles we forwarded
and whioh you wrote me would follow. When
these were supplied we did not understand
they were to he used in experimental work, /
such as you explained to me yesterday. Under /
these oiroumBtanoes we surely do not want to/
render hill and wish you would direct your/
Purchasing Department to oanoel purchase^/
order #53413.

We will he very glad to
furnish any lenses or frames at our disposal
and hope you will oall on us, if we oan be
of any servioe to youihoth on behalf of
Ur. Edison and yourself,' X

Tours very truly,
JULIUS KING OPTICAL 00.

Dear Hr ilendoworoft :

Thank you for your note. It gives me disappointment
to know that the young man of whom you speak was not dis¬
posed to make the saorifloe oven if it should have turned

out

a bo a snorifioe.

■ ' ■ .mroh 24, 1017.

ur. s. v. v.Gi-a, ' -

c/o Julius King Optical Co., . " .

10 Uaidon lano ,

Hew York, II. Y.

v My? dear Hi-, t.ard:

Xour favor oftho 22d instant,
has given a great doei of pleasure to Ur. Hdison
as well as to roysolf. it is vary gratifying • to
■oono into contact with a concern voluntarily dis¬
playing a public spirit such as you have shown,
ana Ur. liaison wishoo to extend his thanfcs to you
and to tho Company that 'youroproeont.

... lours very truly,' “•

Assistant to Ur. Sdfson.

l&ATUL COISfl'MG BOAUD

OF THE UNITED SXVTES

0V» O-C&'&COijk

My dear Mr. Edison: ^

I am o ailing a meerang WfW#^ommittee on /
Ordnanoe and Explosives, in the rdoms of the Amerioan f
Institute of Mining Engineers, at the Engineers Build¬
ing, 39 West 39th St., New York City, on Thursday morn¬
ing next, the 39th instant, at ten o‘clook.

The object of the meeting is to consider the
following important matters.

Mr. Albert H. Emery, of Glenbrook, Conneotiout
will be present, and will explain, with drawings, his
method of treating gun barrels in the manner proposed
by Professor Bridgman. Mr. Emery has carried the mat-
ter m uoh further forward than Professor Bridgman, and in
view of the action taken by the Committee on Ordnanoe
and Explosives in the Bridgman matter, it is of espeoial
importance that the method of Mr. Emery be examined and
considered.

Also, Professor Howe will be present and will
exhibit, under the miorosoope, some slides that he has
made showing the effeot of erosion in guns.

Other important matters will also be brought
before the meeting.

For these reasons I should be very glad to
have you attend the meeting, although you are not a mem¬
ber of the Committee on Ordnanoe and Explosives.

Apparatus for Mr. Edison

Western Electric Company,

Jc5S'rEJnToi»..i. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

MAi>nfANTleHlir «H0INM» 403 WEST STREET

%BMlNTCMi«r NEWYORK March 24, 1917.

REPUTING TO ^-S/ 22/l7

MR. THOMAS A. EDISON,

o/o Thomas A. Edison, Ino.,
lakeside Avenue,

West Orange,

New Jersey.

My dear Mr. Edison:

Referring to your letter of March 22nd, wbioh intro¬
duced Mr. Kennedy to us, Mr. Kennedy has been in touoh with our
engineers, and we are doing everything possible to help you.

In aooordanoe with Mr. Kennedy's instructions, we have sent out
to you four ooils, whioh we have mounted in a Bpeoial manner.

I trust these will work satisfactorily.

Yours very truly ,

Chief Engineer. v -

Harch 2G, 1917.

HudEon Maxim, Son.,

690 St. liexlm Avonuo ,

Brooklyn. II. 1’.

Uy daar Mr. Maxiri:

lot no tliEnl: you for
your favor of the 24th instant, inviting
no to attend a mooting of the Committee
on Ordnance and ihiplosivoc on tho 29th
instant.

As you aro aware, I am ongagod
in a numbor of important o:qioriaonte, and
as those roquiro ny constant personal atten¬
tion, it will not bo possible for r.io to. ■
attend this meeting , nuci^ oc i would lii:o
to do so.

■' Yours very truly.

A/2C85,

March 20,1917.

Col. Y7. 0. Botes,

71st II. T. Infantry, '

park Avo.'&. 34th Street,

Bow York, II -TO .

Door Gir:-

I am informed that lot lieutenant S.G.Warnor
of tho 71ot II. 'i. Infantry has heon ordered' to report
this morning for service.

Ur. V.arner Is one of ray Experimenters and
.is ongaged with mo on very important experiments- for
the Government. I would like, if it is possiblo, to
have a furlough, grcntod to him to remain here at the
laboratory to continue work with mo on those experi-

Y^nrpsvor^ truly.

ments .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

QeQ (ArQ /3crfz> . _ ...

7 1 ^

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_ _ _ . 7 Q^- t ■

. . . - . . - -

_ . - .

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

March 27,1017.

Col. C. Tundorbilt,

• Commanding 'Officer,

22d II IT .Engineers,

lGGth streets Ft. Yiashington Ave.,
flow Tork, II. Y.

Boar Sir:- ^

1 an encaged on sono very important experi¬
ments for the Govoi-nacnt, undertakon at the special
request of the Secretary of tho Davy, and in thic work
I am using ijastor Engineer, V.'.H.Kniorlm of your regi¬
ment . Ho hao been assisting mo for several weeks , and
wo. are in tho midst of important work which, will o:;tond
over Bomo'tlinp to come.

Con it. he arranged to givo liisra furlough for
six or oight woei.e or to dotail him to my laboratory
for- that length of tl ;e? . /

- Awaiting tho ff,yor of your early reply, X

remain,- - ,

Tours very truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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Western Electric Company

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
463 WEST STREET

NEW YORK uar oh 27, 1917.

MH. THOMAS A. EDISON,

Thomas A. Edison, Incorporated,

West Orange, New Jersey.

My dear Mr. Edison;

Mr. Meadowcroft telephoned your message about a
research man to me yesterday and I had Mr. COlpittB send a
couple of men out to you. Unfortunately, M.r. Mathes, who
has been out on previous work, is away from the city for a
few days and so could not handle the work. It may be that
either you or we will wish to substitute him for the man
who is now with you as soon as he (Mathes) returns.

As you know from our previous conversation, we
are anxious to do whatever we can to assist you in this work
for the Navy. At the same time, as I explained to Mr. Meadowcroft
yesterday, we ourselves have so much research work on in con¬
nection with specific requests from the Army and Navy that it
is very difficult for us to spare any men at this time. These
requests are piling in on us in a way that threatens to be
embarrassing and I sincerely trust that you will be able to
release both Mr. aoriven or Mr. Mathes and Mr. Gargan at an
early date.

-2-

V/hile I do not, of oourue, know the exact nature
of the problem on whioh you are working, It oooure to me
that posBibly eome of the things on whioh you think our
people oould he of help might be handled by them more
advantageously in our own laboratories, where the men know
the ropes and have all the facilities, than where they are
attempting to do things under a more or lese strange environ¬
ment. If such an arrangement is feasible, we can of course
keep things absolutely confidential .

With kindest personal regardB, I am,

yours very Binoerely,

Chief Engineer.

S-HS

NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON,

March 27, 1917.

Dear Mr. Edison:

In regard to the detail of an officer
at your laboratory to furnish information on naval
matters, I regret very muoh that I cannot find one
of sufficiently wide experience to cover all the sub¬
jects on which you work.

In thinking this over I have come to the
conclusion that it is better to have you phone in to
the Commandant's Office at the Navy Yard stating the
subject you want to discuss, and an officer who has
the latest information on that subject will be Bent
out at once to your laboratory. Since it is impos¬
sible for any one officer to keep up on all subjects,
I think that this is the better plan . $ Ityo *^rvt lA^JP

Dr. ]?. 3. Jewett,

Chief Engineer,

Western Electric Company,

4C3 West Street,

liev York, 11. Y.

3,iy dear Dr. Jewett:

Replying to your favor of the
£7th instant, let me say I was trying to render
unnecessary the presence of your expert on the
audion by compelling my own men to work it out
themselves so they would certainly he well trained
but was compelled to ask for your assistance.

handle the problem.

As to Ur. Gargan, I hope to send him
back in a few days. It is scarcely necessary
for me to say that the assistance you have so kindly
and promptly rendered , as to both men and apparatus ,
is very greatly appreciated, and if any inconven¬
ience to you has resulted it is to be regretted.
However, it is all for Old Glory!

Yours very truly,

J f

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Ur. - liorraan li. Prencji, ,

o/o ralmor Physical laboratory,

• >•' yriaeoton, 11. J..

Dour Hr. 1’ronch:

.Replying to your inquiry of
yostorduy, lot mo say I am tola that tho tompor-
. aturo of tho smoko stack, v;hon tho maximum povror
is on, ic about 400 dogroos Itahronheiti She
romaindor of tho chip is about normal tomioraturo.

1 had a sohomo for using bolometor, •
p.nfl Coblonts Chormomotor, etc., for detocting
this radiant heat, but found that tho Bureau of
Standards had already .done some experimenting on
this lino and said that tho atmosphere absorbed
all. of the infra red radiation, , oven at. short dis-
. tonoes. :ii .

If you havo something difforont it vtould
bo interesting. '

i fours vory truly.

Uarch 29 , 1917 .

I3r. Laurence Addiokp, \ -

X2C Liberty Stroot,

lieu York, -Xl.Y.

Dear Ur . Addichs :

. Uutehiuon has shown mo
a letter aaaroecod to you' by i’rofoseor K. Vi.
•V.ood of tho Johno Hopkins University undoi
dalo of March 23d.

lot. mo, say in ro.iatioji thereto that
in Jobrunry I got topothor some. special appar¬
atus for determining tho, position of gone, by
sojina^ A largo number of euporinonts woro
made, all, of which arc being reported to the
Eccrotary of tho IJavy.

- I enclose horowith tliroo photographs
of the apparatus . Vie ueoa a phonograph and

are thereby enublod to study the sound waves
^ themsolvoB . The results are • very good .

Yotiro vory truly.

A/272L.

Y

tT

national guard of new jersey

• TROOP D. FIRST SQUADRON. CAVALRY

March 29th, 1917

From: C.O. Troop D, 1st. Sq. N.J. Cavalry N.G.

To: Thomas A. Edison, Esq.

Subject: Discharge of Private E. R. Dawson

1. Private E. R. Dawson, who is in your employ, has
applied for an honorable discharge from this Troop stating
that he is now engaged in government work in your laboratory
and is therefor exempt from militia duty as provided in Sec¬
tion 59 act of June 3, 1916 entitled "An act for making a
further and more effective provision for the National Defense
and other Purposes."

2. His application for discharge has been returned
through the channel -from Bridg. Gen. Wm. A. Mann, G.S., Chief
Militia Bureau requesting that an investigation and report be
made by his Troop commander and stating that proof of occupa¬
tion on U.S. Work will be considered with a view to authorize
discharge .

3. Any information you may be able to give me which
will tend to substantiate Dawson's claim and will comply with
the request of the Chief Militia Bureau will be very much ap¬

preciated.

1st. Lieutenant, Commanding

Lieut. D. P.nnklo , ’ .

Croon D, . First Squadron, Cavalry, •

‘nan putnan' Avenue, Plainfield, J.J.

. ■■iib joct: pischarno of privulo B.S.jtoj

boar Sir:- •'

I have received your favor of the
' S9th instant, in regard to the bpblieation of
private S. ll. Lawson for an honorable di-.ehart,.e
from- Croup 1). .

■ ‘ I trnet that hie application ttiay bo '

• aa tea upon favorably. He is in. iny^enploy ana
no\7 onpt.rod v;or3-iiiG no i,.oi»-»OixaXlt/ on

orporimontc for the United States. Government, .
to the exclusion of everything else-

x • ’ I am training him in eopo cpociaLworl:

s tefffi-i!

of InvoctirratioiiB in connection with tno uovorn-
.meat v;orh. . • ' ' ' -

■ Yours very truly.

• A/2736'.

i-

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Naval Consulting Board
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TtoML CaNrsroiaiire Boai®

April 2nd, 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orango, H. J.

My dear Mr. Edison

Thank you for your letter of March 29th
enclosing copies of your range finder.

On the same day I received a letter from
Ur. Richards, which I enclose herewith, giving a con¬
siderable amount .of data on work done by Mr. A. T. Cole
on this same subject, which I am sending for your infor¬
mation.

You will note that in this latter case
work has been done with the Oscillograph and the Tele-
graphone, as well as the phonograph, and I thought
this might be of special interest to you in connection
with your work at the present time.

Veiy truly yours.

National Carbon Company

C I. KVH IjA"N ID .

ll

GO

'\

COLUMBIA BATTERIES - I

LONGER.

Ifof&L Caorsnaiire Board

OF THE UNITED S

15 SECRETARY

13 Park How-. NeWYorii

H April 3, 1917.

V.

Bo the memhers of the Haval Constating Board.

Bear Sirs:

Beferring to the meeting of the Haval Consulting
Board to he held on Saturday April fourteenth, notice of
which was sent on March 30th * I have Been directed hy the
Chairman to advise you that as the plan adopted at the
meeting of March tenth proved so successful, it will he
followed at the April fourteenth meeting. She Board as
a whole , therefore, after oonvening at ten o'clock will
adjourn its meeting until 1.30 P.M. , the intervening time
Being devoted to meetings of the various committees.

HAVAL C0HSU1TIHG BOARD.

TTTR BALTIMORE NEWS.

Mr. Thoms a. Edison,
Msnio Park,

N. J.

April 3rd, 1917.

Dear Sir

The people of Maryland are much interested
in the location of the Naval Laboratory. The

information coming from Washington that the committee,
havIBgthe selection of the site in charge, is unanimous,
With the exception of yourself, for Annapolis, has
aroused much interest here.

The people here would greatly appreciate it if
they could learn the basis of the objection to Annapolis.

Of course, native pride leads them, perhaps,
to exaggerated ideas of the advantages of Annapolis for
this site. %t they are very anxious to do what they
can to present its claims in every possible way.

Yours very truly.

C. M. HARWOOD!

/ ./

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P A III K K IHKSIOil 1 A J3 0 E A T 0 K Y
PEIi!GEi!TOII UHIVEESITY

Prinoe^ton, Hew Jersey

April 0. 191V. •

Ur. IJeadowcroft,
Secretary to Hr. Edison,
West Orange, II. J.

XI;

dear Hr. Lleadowcroft:

^’SFSS&TS 5S»‘^£«ri«

Sr ifforSorS6 rdSuirthe^ttei o? tests with the
Testing Officer.

The Testing Officer has agreed to mate tests using

sis. i\r& “

agreed to work with me in the .work of making it.

I also reviewed all the work they have done in the

SS&?^-3Sr^8

which have thus far prevented the use of oxygen.

If Ur.

please let him

Uy expenses on
meals .

UDU11 .sould he interested in this
this letter.

3 trip amounted to £13. sO, for fare.

Sincerely yours,

(signed) Karl T. Compton

April :6, 1917.

lit. lawronco AddickB,

■ 1 '120 liberty Stroot,

. 'fork, It.Y.

Uy dear Ur. Addicks:

I rottirn- tho papors fornardod
with your favor of tho 2d inGtant.'

X have conduc tod a. largo numb or of o:opori-
'monts with the induction bclahce, to dotoct taaecoc
of iron at a -distance, but absolutely without euccop
Youro vory truly,

A/279S. •

SndoouroD .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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THOMAS A EDISON

ORANGE Nd

YOUR TELEGRAM APRIL SIXTH RELATIVE PROTECTION PLANTS HAS BEEN RESEATED
TO COMMANDING GENERAL EASTERN DEPARTMENT GOVERNORS ISLAND NY
WHO HAS CONTROL OF SUCH MATTERS

MC CAIN THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

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1st Lt.' S. G. Karnor,

Co, "X", 71st Koglraont', II.Y.Inf . ,

Kingston, liiY.

Donr ;.ir. T.arnor:

' I have received your favor of
thcj 2S instant and havo carefully noted the
contents. In reply would say nr. liaison wrote
to tho Secretary of T/ar under date of tho 31st
ultimo ashing that you he detailed here, hut
up to the present timp wo have "had no reply.

She mo quo at to the 'Secretary will bo
followed up if wo do'not hoar from him in a fow
days. r . . . •

Kith kind rogards, I roraain,

Yours ' very truly.

Assistant- to Ur.- Itfioon.

J6pril 7,19X7,

Hon. JoBophus Daniels,

Washington, D. C.

Hy dear Ur. Daniels :

P10O60 find herewith copy of
a latter I sent to the T.ar Department asking for
the release of First Lieutenant S. 0. T.amer of
the Seventy-first Infantry.

Warner lsuone of ny heat experimenters
end I *le»,him greatly. Can you help any to
hate decision expedited?

Yours very truly,

A. _ •" .. .

Enclosure.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Hon. lion ton D. Baker,

Secretary of l.ar,

bashinpton, D. 0.

First Lieutenant S. G. burner of the 71st
II .Y. Infantry has boen anti is assisting me in some
important experiments I am malting for the Govern¬
ment at the request of the Socretary of the Ilavy.

He has boon called for eorvico.

I shall be vory glad if it can be arranpod
that a furlough be granted to him, or that ho can
be detailed here to the Laboratory to continue work
nith no on the experiments above rof erred to. 1
cannot at this moment say what period of time such
experiments will roquiro, but it will undoubtedly
be several weeks.

I shall be glad to havo this request granted ,
as Lieutonarit burner's services in this connection
will be of value to tho Government.

Yours very truly,

(signed) Thos. A. Edison.

A/2239.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, Hew Jersey.

My dear Mr. Edisont

l^' h \it~ riu<w£ ?q u

e a young man working for

e name of

. Cox who is an expert chemist. He has done a lot of work in org¬
anic chemistry as well as in silicate chemistry. He is at the present
time working on developing our optical glass processes with the view
of getting this material out in much larger quantities than at present.

He was in ray office this morning and was very restive and is
figuring on going hack to Kentucky to enlist at his home town. X have
told him that the work he is doing at the present time is much more
important to the U. S. Government than anything which he could do in any
other department and in reply he said he did not care what he did, so
long as he was of use to his country, but he would like to be detailed to
some work that would have to do with the preparedness of the U. S. in the
coming conflict.

If there is any place where you think he would be more useful
than at his present work, if you will advise me, I will put him in touch
with you, but if you consider that his work in connection with optical
glass is a thing which he should follow, I would greatly appreciate it
if you would write me to that effect or have him definitely assigned to
this work. I think it would be a great mistake for him to go into the
ranks but at the same time be will not stay in the industries unless he
is definitely assigned there.

I am still waiting for the dimensions of the optical glass which
you require, together with the index of refraction and X shall be very

glad to furnish you with the same a- “ - - T ’•«'.«1ve the dimensions

which you require. With love t*

THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS
700, Army Building. Now York, N. Y.

I. FII. No. Aircraft l/lO

■SVHvg

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF ENGINEERS

ARMY BUILDING. NEW YORK CITY April 9, 1917>

f

ilr. Thomas A. Edison,

West Orange, H.J,

Bear Sirs

The Engineer Bepartment has been assigned the duty of providing
th! UBe of the «• S. Army in defense against hos-
tile aircraft and The Board of Engineers haB been directed by the Chief
of Engineers to undertake the development of an efficient instrument.

The Board is infoimed by Admiral 3urd, U.S.8., that you are
engaged upon perfecting an aeroplane detector and it is requested that
to the results of your experiments.

Very respectfully.

the Board be kept informed a

i‘,

Colonel, Corps of Engineers,
Senior Member.

National Carbon Company

CliBVliliAM). OHIO. u.s.A.

April 10th

1917

■ «»lyN0C
CC-3S-14

Thomas A Edison
l!r V.'m H Ue&dowcroft
Orange H J

Gentlemen:

I have noted your letter of the 6th with
reference to samples of carbonized seeds and globular
carbon. As regards globular carbon, we sent you about
the middle of February on your order #52234 four lots
of four ounces each .025, .030, .035 and .040" diameter.
These represent the principal sizes in common U3e
although we can make the carbon a little larger and
a little smaller in diameter. Vie shall be pleased to
have our factory send you a complete sat of samples
of our Columbia Globular Carbon in various sizes as
follows: —

.030, .025, .030, .035-, .040, ,045 and .050" diameter

These will be tagged indicating size in each case and
we trust will be of assistance in connection with your

If there is any further information we can supply you
regarding this material please advise.

Yours very truly

NATIONAL CARBON COMPANY

BATTERIES - I

LONGER.

///trA/ ■//•/ //(■/

4'4r«'^t y

4r^

'^MfWor/, C

?

Dear Mr. Edison:-

I understand from Mrs. Chubb that you were inquir¬
ing whether you could have use of my boat for some of your experi¬
ments in Newark Bay.

The only boat whioh 1 have is the "SATELLITE* tthioh is a 40 ft.
power boat with a 50/75 h.p. engine. She is at present out of
commission and it will probably take five or six days to put her
in condition to be used.

I would be glad to let you have her were it not for the fact that
I have offered her to the Government and have been advised by them
that they will accept her. So far they have taken no steps beyond
giving me this advioe but I feel she is pledged to them.

If this boat is just what you want and you so desire I will be
glad to take it up with the Naval Authorities and s»e if they will
release her for this special service.

Very truly yours.

Thomas A. Edison Eeq.,

THOMAS jUDDLE DOUGLASS RIDDLE

THOMAS RIDDLE

LAUNCHES, SAIL BOATS AND ICE BOATS

Gasolene Motors Overhauled, Repairing and Storage

Repaired or Installed MARINE RAILWAY of Boats

Express and Freight Station: Little Silver, N. J. P- O. Address; OCEANPORT, N. J.

Telephone 2124-W. Eatontown

OCEANPORT, N. J., . A5J.il. Wth _1917 . 191

Mr' Thomas A Edison
Wes.t Orange N.J
Dear Sir:

A gentleman was here today negotiating for a cabin
launch, to he used under your directions in Sandy Hoofc Bay
for expermential purposes.

Is this all right? Pardon me for ashing the question,
for I feal that we should he very oautious at this time.

An early reply will he greatly appreciated.

Yours very truly _ ^

-

Please consider thiB confidential.

& SONS ^ ■/,

April 11,1017

Thomas Riddle a Bone, '

Ocoanport , If . j .

Gontlomon:

Hr. Edison wislioc no to thank you for
your favor of tho 10th ins lent, end to '•■say that
it is quito correct tliat ho cent a rcproeontativo
yostcrday to> look into the question of rontiar a .
lamich and reporting the results. of hie investigation
to nr. EdiBon.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

A/2843.

April 11,1917.

Colonel ]?. V.‘ Abbot, U. S. A.,
Corns of Engineers,

• Hoorn 700,’ Army Building,
Hew York, II .Y. '

Dear Sir:-

Yoiir file Aircraft 1 /lO :

I hove received your favor of the 9th
instant, and in reply I would cay that I have beon
engaged by Seerotary Dnniols to conduct a nunber
of experiments for the llavy, among them are devicoa
for detecting hydro-aeroplanes, rango find ore for
same, and a device for. dropping bombs with a fair
degroe of accuracy.

All reports aro 'sent direct to Secretary-
Daniels.' I would vory much like to cooperate, with
the Army, in this connection, but I am in doubt as to
whether I huve tho authority to doso, as all oxpeneos
arc paid by the Uavy Department.

Y/ill you not kindly arrange with Secretary '
Daniels so that Re can work together.

Yours very- truly.

A /283d .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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April 11.1917.

Ur. W. 1. Saunders,

c/o Inf'eraoll-Band Co.,

'11 Broadway. •

liow York, li.j.'.
vy dear Hr. Saunders:

. iloronith 1 hand you' a. letter
.J>r&n ;!r. it. i:. Hitchcock Of tiae Plltsbui-Rh Plato
Glass Co., eddrosBod to Ur. Edison. You will note
Ur. Edison has written a pencil. nenorandon a.or „ou
on this lottor.

I want to say by way of explanation, that
Ur. Hitchcock is a personal, friond of :.lr. MiEon,
indeed I beliovo ho is one of tha family on i.xa.
Edison's side . .

Assistant to T'r. Edison.

Enclosure .
A/2844.'. ,

Qkuttval ftaitaraft (!lo. of Niuit Jforoog

I'll . Od . UU*aU‘r,

JJmubtirt&firnrrallflmnisjM’.

CENTRAL BUILDING 143 LIBERTY STREET.

New York, April 11, 1917.

Ur. Thos. A. Edison,

Orange, N. J .

Dear Sir:-

Your letter of April 9th, T'oquesting permission to
utilise a portion of our pier at Atlantic Highlands for the
purpose of conducting some electrical experiments, has been re¬
ceived, and I have referred same to Hr. J. V/. Meredith, our
General Superintendent, with instructions to co-operate fully
with your people.

The only condition that I wish to impose is, that the
activities of your people at the pier nuist not interfere with
the rights of such passengers as may use the pier from time to
time in connection with our rail line and Sandy Hook boat
operations .

Trusting that you will secure satisfactory results
from your experiments, I am

Yours truly,

President & General Manager.

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—

13T-. A. U*. Kennedy, •
c/o C'. ,P. Irwin,

Union street, '

Hod. Bank, H. J.

Bear Mr. Konnediy:

Mr. Edison was pleased to receive
the newa you sent me ovor the telophone this, morning.

■ It struck mo that it was rather a risky thing
to leave the yacht' alone at /nights with all the valuable
apparatus aboard, especially as an evil disposed verson
might oomo in and urbek it. Hr. Edison said that you .

. had bettor engage a night-watchman to stay aboard nights.
It goes without saying that you will 'have to bo ooi-ocially
careful as to your selection of a man, so that there is
absolutely no doubt about his loyalty, etc . •

Ur. Edison is very desirous of knowJ.TQg|your
. EOtol or living place as quickly as you -get . located .
Please, therof or; adviBe mo as to same.

• She onolosed correspondence, consisting of a
copy of Ur. Edison's lottor to Ur. V/. Q. Boslor, irqsiflont
of the Central. R.H. of IIow Jersey', and Hr. Beeler' n
reply will oxpiain themselves. I am- purposely Bending
you the original letter from Mr. Boslor, as you will
Undoubtedly have to chow it to the Contral Bailroad poople
. down there when you come to make some experiments . Will
" you please take particular note of the conditfciinn under
. . which this privilege is granted and received;

four b vbry truly.

- Enclonures.

The Central Railroad Company of New Jersey.

Jersey City, N. J., April 12, 1917

Besler, to co-operate with you in connection with certain electrii
experiments which you desire to oonduot on our pier at Atlantic
Highlands. /

I shall he pleased to receive any advice you may be in
a position to give me or/ this matter at the present time, with
respeot to how muoh space is desired, whether any particular loca¬
tion is neoesBary, andf in what manner it 1b intended to transport
your apparatus . Perhaps you might find it convenient to have your
representative oonfer\on detaila-with our Superintendent, Mr. S.B.
Zartman, in whose territory this pier is located.

Awaiting your reply, lam.

Apparatus for Mr. Edison

Western E/ectric Company,

INCORPORATED

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

April 12, 1917.

ME. THOMAS A. EDISOH ,

o/o Thomas A. Edison, Ino.,
lakeside Avenue,

West Orange,

Hew Jersey.

My dear Mr. Edison:

Mr. Meadoworoft called me this morning with reference
to the matter of securing an additional four-stage amplifier for
use in the experimental work which you are carrying on for the
United States Government. We have no apparatus assembled which
would, I think, he entirely satisfactory for your purpose, hut
have started assemhling such, and hope to have it ready for you
sometime early next week. When this apparatus is ready, I will
have Mr. Colpitts make final arrangements with Mr. Meadoworoft,
and send the apparatus out with one of our employees to turn it
over to you and to make sure that when it is set up in your

place it is in good working condition.

I am, Yours very truly.

F ft '

Chief Engineer.

April 13,1017

])r. 3?. B. Jeuott, PKRSOilAL :

Cftiof Engineer,

T.'ostern Electric Co.,
463 Bent Stroot,

Hen Yor3-„ II. Y.

Ily dear Dr. Jowott;

I hGvo juct loarned that the
General Eloctric Oomcony.'s Research Department
is cooperating with Posoonden and hlo submarine
signaling Company in' detecting . submarines .

Is It true that they havo a very much
better nudion sot than yours? I have boon told

Vihllo- 1 hope they will get what the
Government wants, I am still anxious that tho
Gonoral Electric croud do not got ahead of us.

Yours elnberely.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

%L CSr

s April' 13,1917 .

iir. J. V. Lloroflith,

Genoral Superintendent,

Sho Contra! Euilrond Company of ilov. Jorco’',

J' o r n o y C i t y , . j .

Dear Sir:-

I have received poor favor of tho 12th
instant, in repard to tho oloetrical oriper indite
vhicii I desiro to conduct on your Conran’' ’c pior
at Atlantic Highlands.

I shall avail nysolf of your Bur-postlon,
and ask ny represents! ire , Kr. A. LI. Kennedy, to
confer on tho details vith your Surerinioudont.’tr.
S. 3. Sartraah. Just at this tino', ;:r. Kennedy
is raufcinp scrap experiments for no. in tho noiphbor-
hood of tho Atlantic Kiphlandc, so I will oond your
lotter down to hin and a'efc him to call and too rr.
Zartnun, •

fhanhinp you

jurtoouc attention,

A/2369.

■fours very truly.

Mr. A. M. Kennedy.,
o/o C. P. Irwin,.

Union Street,

Rea Bank, II. J.

My dear Ur. Kennedy:

Herewith I hand you letter
from Ur. J. W, Meredith, General Superintendent
of the Central Railroad Company of Hew Jersey.
'You will see that he suggests you confer with
the Superintendent, Mr. S. B. Zartman. I pre¬
sume this gentleman is located in the neighbor¬
hood of Atlantic Highlands, but that is a matter

HituH .

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'April 14,1917;

Sllvtooa-Ivine lube -orkc , .

Oak lano Station,

. Philadelphia, Pa.'

Gentlemen: ... •

I am in no.od of cono^ stool tubing for
goejo important Goverjimont oxporiraonts that I an .
making, and am writing to -you as. I am euro you.
will bo able to holp out. '.Vhat I want 1b steel ■
tubing one-eight (l/8) inch inside diaraotor, or.
bomowhore near that, with .walls .020 inch, or as
near, to it as possible . I want to got this ,

tubing in S foot lengths or as, near as you eon • .
by approximate. Oio. tubing, is ,to bo very straight,

, if it is possible to make it so. ■ She inside walls
should be as smooth as they can- bo mado.

I shall want 960. feet of this tubing
for my Governrpont O-tpo-'imonto . Con you supply its'

If eo, please let no luiow how ' soon and tho price.

lours very truly.

A/28'79.

25g4316 .

WAR DEPARTMENT,

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Hr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, Hew Jersey.

Sear Sir:

In reply to your letter of the 31st ultimo, regarding First Lieu¬
tenant Selden 0. Owner, 71st Infantry, How York National Guard, and
requesting that a furlough be granted him, or that he be detailed at
your laboratory at Orange, Hew Jersey, in order that he may continue
work with you on certain experiments, the Secretary of War directs me
to inform you that an order has been made, this date, granting leave of
absenoe for one month to Lieutenant Warner.

Very respectfully.

Adjutant Genera

April 14, 1917.

Io the Havol Oonealting Board:

Your oommittoe appolntedXo oonnider and report upon the pre-
o«nt relation of ttao Havy Deportment to tho use of patented.

Invent loan, reports th*t it hne held a conference with Walter H-
Pumuhres. &oq., of Haw York, opooial oounoel for the Hovy Department
in patent litigation, with John C. Fannie, Kao., of Hen York, an
expert in potent law, and ono of our mombero had dinouaaed the auh-
ieot with the Secretory of the Havy and with tho legal adviBor of the
Havy Department at iYaohington , Hr. iigorton - and wo now report aa
follows : -

right to use
a patent. This right has

(X) By tho Aot of 1910, the Oovornment hao
any invention described in ana oovorod by a patent. ---- - -
been bold by tho Supremo Ooo.rt as equivalent to tho appropriation
of a lioenoo to use tho invention, by the right of eminent domain,

(8) It follows, that the Piavy Deportment oan use any patented
invention in ito own yardc or other work plsoon, by itB own employees
or permanent of floors. Or it -ay contract for tho patented article
to be oonstruotod or made for it by any pornon whatever, and nooording
to a reoent decision in tho cnee of V'. ro on 1 Vi roles e iolegroph
Tomnanv of Amorlea vs. Knil J. Simon (aeo Deoeeion of the ^ourt,
paneo 9 and lol, tho said pornon is neither an infrlng r nor evon a
contributory infringer of tho patont in quentlon.

(3) Iho rodroso providod by law to the owner of * patent
Buoh ueo of it by the Oovornment without bis permission, in by
instituting suit In tho Court of Claims, where, the owner of ho patent
must prove hie ownership, the validity of hie potent, that tho Govern
ment hao u«$od it, and make claim for reasonable compensation. If
Buah claim io allowed, it reate with Congress: to appropriate money
to pay it.

the owner of tho patont.

(6) In the preaent national emergency, your iJoK“itJ®0n^ndB
and advices that tho Havy Department may use at onoo, “4 ®”y

extent deal ratio, any patented invention which may be of use or
advantage to it, nlnoo no legal impediment Booms to prohibit or
interfere with such aotion.

Joseph *. HiohardB, (ohairman)
Dpenoer Miller.

A. H, Hunt.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

OOP* Fisr-H nKLATIHO TO sns RA7Y,
Art. 1, 3qq, 0, pngo ZB.

SIGHT OF QOVKBHMEJIS SO USE A FATEHS. - Oongroan has
provided tbat the O'.mor of a as patented invention raay
recover reasonable compensation by cult in tbo Court cf
OlBiiso for the unnttthorir.od use thereof b; the tJnitod States;
bat that this oh-11 not apply to any device invented by
any pnroon while in the employment of eorvloo of the United
States, or who la in suoh employment or service at the time
of making oloim, or to the smignoe of ny unoh patentee.

(Act Juno 2C, lilO, 86 “\al. , 851.)

"It has boon detorminod that the Qovorrunont of the
United Staton ban no right to uso tx patented invention without
compensation to tbo owner, under the aonstitnti onal provision
that in the oxorcioo of the power of eminent domain it may
take private -property for publio use, bat not without miking
Juat oomponnation thorofor. (U. 3. v. "urns, IS floll., 246;
Uamoyar v. tiawton, 94 U. 3., 2S6; Borneo v. Oacphell, 104
U. 3., 556; Hollister v. Bemodiet Hfg. Co., 112 U. 69;

U. 3. v. Palmer, 1S8 U. 3., S62; Belknap v, Sohild, 161 U. 3,,
10. )" 28 Op. Atty. Gen. , 502)

Admiral George K. Burd,

Brooklyn Havy Yard,

Brooklyn, B.Y.

Uy dear Admirals

(1) Do Submarines , when running submerged,
use both motors?

(2) How many revolutions does Bhaft make
when running submerged?

(3) Would a foreign submarine be likely to
run 8 low or fast when submerged and entering the American
zone?

(4) Are motors geared to shaft, or worked

direct?

(6) How many bars aro there in motor commu¬
tators of latest submarine or the best submarines? Give
diametor of commutator.

(6) How many polos to motors?

(7) Are there any other motors running besides
those propelling when submerged?

(8) If so, what do they do? Are any geared?

(9) LoeB the inner shell of boat make direot
contact with the sea at any place and, if so, approximately
the surface thUB exposed, in square feet, and the percent¬
age of thiB to total.

- (10) When running submerges is it silent inside
the boat, or 1b there a hum or noise?. Point out sources
of noise. ‘ •

(11) Gan, vibration be .Silt when shell of boat
is touched by fingers?

-2-

(12) Can the screw he heard in hoat
running submerged?

Very truly yours.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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L~Cr<dl UO 1 O-U.&JsjdL -

ftpril 1C", 1017

Eon. Joffophnfi Daniolc,

' iVnehineton, D. c.
iiy doer Hr. Ouaiolt:

*ou have not sokofl no for
JO? memorandum of ercyoncon of os^orlrSontian,
but I think it nay bo roll to rondor monthly
billc, after. this, If ngrocablo to you.

1 lo*’:o tho liberty of handing you
horo^Ath a laboratory bill shewing tho actual
coot of the oxporicjontal work done horo at tho
Laboratory la tho period from Hob mam 1,1017
to . i, larch 01 ; 1017. of courso, you nil! under- ■
clana that thie le for actual or.ponditurc for
material and for tho labor of my pooplo. yy
ocn personal DorrlcoalE frooly dona tod to
Undo Sam.

Ifouro vory truly.

h/LoOvi.

Enclosuxoc

April 1C, 1917

ttr. H. Z . Hitchcock, •

o/o Pittobur {*h Plato Glace Co.,

Pittsburgh, Ponna.

Doer nr; Hitchcock:

Iir. Edison received yoitr favor _
of tho Vth iriBtant, in roftard to S. F. Cox, and
eont it to Ur. 17. 1. Eaundors of the Uoval Consult¬
ing Board.

' Ur. Saunders bac aont tho onclosed reply,
which Hr. Edison has roouostod no to cona to you.

- ' Yours vory trul?,

’ Assistant to Hr. Edison.

Enclosure .

A/2087.

Western Electric Company

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

W

tt**

NEW YORK

April 16, 1917.

HP.. THOMAS A. EDISON, s/ 'j

Orange, /

New Jersey,

My dear Mr. Edison:

Replying to your letter of April 13th about the
co-operation between Fessenden and the General Eleotrio
Company* s Research Department on submarine deteotion, I feel
perfectly safe in assuring you that the General Electric
Company's vacuum tube (audion) detector and amplifier is not
superior to those which we make. Whether they know better
than we how to employ this devioe in connection with sub¬
marine deteotion I cannot say as I have no first-hand know¬
ledge of Just what Fessenden is doing.

The vacuum tube amplifier is BUoh a remarkable
instrument that its possibilities in connection with sub¬
marine detection are great. From the standpoint of the
country I hope earnestly that some of them may prove success¬
ful. At the same time I should feel not a little ohagrined
if the successful method should be found to be one whioh
indicated lack of skill and insight on our part.

YourB very truly,'

Chief Engineer.

EBJ-GR

"OPR'ETOR Philadelphia, Bv., Apru 16,^17

Thomas A. Edison, O/cum I bcx$ Yi Jb^o 0

Orange, g^i.

Gentlemen: (Attention of Mr. Meadowcroft) /

Your favor of the 14th has been handed to me for reply
for the reason that we are really so filled up wijrh orders and
contracts that v/e find it almost impossible to t*Ske on more, with
any degree of certainty as to delivery. y

When, however, we have a request from Mr . Edison,
and especially so to help him out, and to yrto our little hit for
our own Government, it opens up another train of thought, and we
will put other work aside as an accommodation, first to our
Government, as I say, and then to our did friend, Mr. Edison,

The price will he, for the steel tubes specified,

16/ per foot net, and by special effort we believe we con mike
shipment to you within two to three weeks from receint of order. It
would be well for you
stiff and rigid, or so

* ThomaB A. Edison - #2 April 16,1917

Edison's signature 1b so very faint, that we can hardly read it.
He evidently blotted it quickly. The thought occurred to me
that you would be willing to have a copy made of this letter if
I sent it to you, and have Mr. Edison sign it with good black
ink. Will you do it?

SLOANE LABORATORY

April 16, 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Eaison,

Orange ,

if . J »

Dear Sir:

I have referred your letter of April 14th
in rogara to the Yale heliometer to M. E. Smith, the astron¬
omer in charge of the observatory, who will communicate with
you on the subject.

I think it it quite doubtful whether the
heliometer can be used for the nurpose you mention since it
iB in reality a doiible image micrometer and is not suitable
for any use similar to that of a theodolite. It is very
large and heavy and it would be necessary to take down the
walls of the dome in order to get it out us they are built
around the instrument.

Your3 very truly,

% d. ■

lOnyhn 131pm 62 paid Pull rat* 4 extra

dr Phil a Pa April 17th 1917

•eatorange ; Fewferaey.

Maj“ st., ora

fiyifa'

wealthy Philadelphian considering offer of twenty fir* thousand
prize to Indent or who produoes devic* successfully combat
submarine do you consider such offer worth while scientifically
oorreot or adviseable please favor with guide answer by wire our
expense Do not aslc for quotation strictly confidential for offio#

Managing Bditor Xvenlng Ledger

April- 18,1917.

Hon. Josophus Dapiole,

l7achington,,D. C.

Lly dear Hi-. Da.nials :

i have roceived a lettor from
the Adjutant Genoral informing mo that First Lieu¬
tenant Solden G. Warner, 71st. Infantry, Hew WorJ:
national Guard, hao boon granted a leave of aboenoo
for one month by the Secretary of V.ar .

ThiB ie my assistant of whom Hr. iloadoTrcorft
mado mention to you yosterday, and Warn exceedingly
glad .that he has boon allowed this leave of absence.

Tours, sincerely,

A/2892. _ '

\fjk&s i^sASA--£aj,

April 10,1117

. Prof. n. A. Bumstead,

Yale University,

Mow Haven, Conn.

Dear Mir:- -

lieplyinp to your letter of April lGth,
a double imago helioneter is the type of instru¬
ment no need for our oxporinen ,, 'which involves
tho measurement of small angles.

•If your instrument is Built in permanently,
I could not ask for its removal. perhaps you
can lot us know whore a smaller one may ho found
- in this part of tho country. I know that aecurato
instruments of this typo havo been mado, haying a
throe or four- inch objective and a threo or four,
foot focal lontth. Any information you may 'bo
able ' to pivo me will be greatly appreciated .

Yours very truly.

April 10,1917.

John A. Brashoar, Co . , Ltd . , .

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Gontlemon : - — ■

Ur. Edison is giving almost all of his
tine to some special experiments for our Govern¬
ment. Ho wonts to have temporary use of u hcliomotor
of the typo .used in measuring tho annular diameter
of the Sun. It should bo small onough to be easily
moved for making observations in tho field. A
eonveniont sise would be one having 3 or 4' Inch
objective, and a 3 or 4 foot focal length.

He feels quite sure that 'if you happen
to havo ouch an instrument at ^yourbooranand you would
allot! him to make temporary ueo of it. If you havo
not, can you tell ao tho nearest Unlteroity or college
possessing such an nstrument. Possibl'o tome private
party with whom you ere ac quAintod night hnvo ono.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.
a/289Gv x ,

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April IB, 1917

, David H. Cannor, .

c/o .Kdieon Lamp works,
_ Harrison, 1!.J.

I-havo shown I.tr. Edison your favor of '
the 16th instant with tho blue, print which accom¬
panied -tho 'some . '

ir0 is afraid that while your eeherac is
theoretically good, it would scarcely bo possiblo
to "work it (satisfactorily on thp onoiTnous se^lo
to which ideas of Submarine dCLOotion must apply.

Ihe crcat . trouble is tho limited sphere of mapnotio
attraction. '

Ilr. Edison thiiCx you will realise this
if you do a iittio okperinentins in a- hie

assja. .r’sssiirs s*

ocean front, extending out 100 miles uo sea,

•t-r. Kdison thinks best wo should return
your lotto'r and bluo print, which is enclosed horo-.
with.;

" Yours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

Enclosures .
A/2900. :

Philadelphia, Pa., Apr. 10, 1917.

Thos. A. Edison,

Orange, lf.J.

Please note our telegram of yesterday
re prize for inventor -Anti -Submarine device. Secretary
Daniels approves and he suggests that v;o obtain your
opinion. Will you favor us.

II. U. Eaton,

llanaging Editor .Evening ledger.
(Eec'd ovor 'phone 2:05 PI.I)

April 18,1917

Hr. Ellvood Ivins,

Oak T,ano Station,

Philadelphia, la

Soar l!r. Ivins:

I am in rooeipt of your esteemed
favor of tho 10th instant, which I hnvo shown to
Hr. Edison.

He viBhos me to say to you that tho-
tubes should be hard stool and polished, but he
says do not start to mako then yet, as further
experiments must be mado by him boforo ho' is sure
of noodlng then.

Ho a: procistbe very greatly your cordial
willingness to help out and do your bit for our
Government and also for hi-..colf, and ho wants me
to thank you for your 2:ind offer of assistance,

Shich, in view of your pre'sent condition of business,
is vory gratifying to him.

I remombor the complimentary lottor which
Hr. Edison sont you, and I shall only be too glad
to hnvo it reoopied for you and Hr. Edison save
he will sign it in good black ink.

Yours vory truly.

Assistant to Iir. Edison.

AjfkQ93.

(

}

April 18, 1917.

Hr. Lamar Udleill,
o/oSan Augustine Hotel,
ffuoson, Arizona.

Dear Sirs

Your recent favor has been received. V/o beg
to say that Ur. Adison is working night and day for tho
Government and cannot possibly spare the time to personally
examine suggestions or inventions offered in connection with
matters of National Defense. He does not even see his regular
mail for sometimes a week at a time.

He has, therefore, directed that communications
of this kind be returned to tho writers, with the suggestion
that they communicate direct with Ur. Thomas HobinB, secretary
of tho liaval Consulting Hoard, 13 Park How, Hew fork City.

Ur. jdison has not had time to look at your
communication, and wo return it herewith.

Yours very truly.

Adison Laboratory.

f aU Uttib?r0itji

OBSERVATORY.

P

Nnu ijautit, (Enmi., _ ApxjJL — igi7

l..r. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. 0.

Dear Sin-

.Hrofessor Bumstead of the Sheffield Scientific
School has forwarded to me your inquiry of the I4th
relative to the Yale Heliometer.

It seems to me that you are looking for a
povtaol.e iiistruinen^ of some sort and do not realize that
our telescope is passive affair that could not be. easily
moved about over a ease line of from three to six
hundred fe«t as mentioned in your letter. The base line
which we us« is I8b, 000,000 miles long and the success of
our measure® depends upon the careful avoidance o' of all
jars and disturbances during the six months that it takes
the earth to earrl us that distance.

At the time of its erection in 188 l a solid
masonry pi’er having a diameter of twelve feet was first
built from heri roek to a height of forty feet, a circular
oriel: lower was then put up around the pier to the upper
floor level and after the telescope vtas hoisted into place
the tower was completed and capped by a revolving dome.
Therefore the only way to get the telescope out would be
to demolis.il the building, which hardly seems practicable.

Very truly youri

Pr<gr.

Astronomer in Charge.-

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April 19,1917 .

Hr. D. Uci’arlen liooro,

c/o Ea icon lamp Y.orhs,

Harrison, II. a. . ' • - /

Ky doar :!r. Hooro:

I Bup-noso you will thinl: it etranpo .
to have roturnod to you* the copy, of your letter .to
President Wilson. hot no explain.

Hr.-SaiEon is Korlcing day and night on -
cortain problems for tho llavy Doparwraonu, and no ^iehoB
to remain entirely free .from having Tile linoe of thonnat
d ivorted- in any Kay . • ■-

He, therefore, established . the principle in
-tho beginning that. he would not loch at any of
. nunoroiic cupBoetions mid ideas thao nave been pouring
in for man? Koche. Undorjiia instructions, i return
all communications to the writers, using a form lotoo. ,
copy of which I enclose for your information.

Of course , this form lettor does not apply
to your case, bub will illustrate tho Kay in unich we
acal Kith those mat tor s , generally opoahino

I am sure you Kill quite unfloro tana' that thoro
is no disrespect intendod Khon X roturn to 5'°u the copy
of your lottor. In accordance with ny.gonoral instruc¬
tions from Ur. Edison.

• bith Kind regards, I remain,

_ lours very truly*,.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

A/2910.

Enclosuro.

April 19,1917.

1st Lieut. S. G. Earner,

71st' Infantry, II. G. li.Y.,

. Zlnpston, li.Y.

Doar :ir. V.arnor:

Ur. Edison has rocoivoa a lottor
from tho Adjutant Gonoral at V/aohin{?ton statin?

Ijhat the Sodretary of War has Granted you a leave
of absence for. a month. I suppose you will roceivo
notification very soon.

Yours very truly.

Apparatus for Mr. Edison - M-37606

Western E/ectric Company,

ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
. 483 WEST STREET
NEW YORK

‘MR. THOMAS A. EDISON,

o/o Thomas A. Edison, Ino. ,

Lakeside Avenue ,

West Orange,

New Jersey.

My dear Mr. Edison:

Referring to the matter discussed in my letter of
April 12th, I understand from Mr. Shreeve that Mr. Soriven went
out to your laboratories the early part of this week with ap¬
paratus for setting up a several Btage amplifier. It is also
my understanding that he set it up and made Buoh adjustments as
Beemed necessary to best meet your requirements. I trust that
this apparatus has been working satisfactorily, and would say
that if you have any trouble with it at any time, I should be .
glad to have you call upon us for any assistance which we can
give you.

In order to facilitate reference to the material whioh
we have sent you within the last month or thereabouts, aooording
to our reoords we have furnished the following material. In case
your records do not check, I shall be glad to have you advise me.

March 24, 1917,

2 jrW-192 coils

2 - #W-188 coils

Mar oh 27, 1917.

1 - #W-231 coil

S - special #43-A retardation coils

2 - #44-B retardation coils
12 - #21-D condensers

.Thomas A. Edison

- 2 -

March 31, 1917.

2 - type "1" vacuum tubes
6 - type "V" vacuum tubes

1 - #W-231 coil (taken by Mr.Soriven)

April 17 , 1917 •

2 - Amplifier boards and covers as shown on

ES-175302, which include the following
apparatus: .

2 #W-192 input coils

36 48000 ohm lavites, mtd. on 2 panels of 12
and 2 of 6.

4 vacuum tube sockets
2 special 43-A retardation coils
4 21 -D condensers
2 Bilver chloride cells
4 705 Eveready flashlight batteries
2 special 44-B retardation coils
2 #W-149 output coils
4 #218 jacks and mountings
2 4 ohm procelain base rheostats

4 "V" vacuum tubes, #19210, #19212, #19207,
#3432

1 "1" vacuum tube, #20085

8 #21 -D condensers

2 4-ohm rheostats

Yours very truly.

Fi ft'

Chief Engineer. ^rC"'

April 19, 1917.

S LOANS LABORATORY

Hr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, N.J.

Pear Sir:

Replying to your letter of April 18th, I con¬
sulted Pr. W. L. Elkin (formerly director of our observatory,
now retired} with regard to the existence of small heliometers
in this country. He informs me that there are no small astro¬
nomical heliometers in this country and only a few in the
world - two or three in Germany, one in Scotland, and two in
Russia. He suggested, however, that you might possibly ac¬
complish your purpose by using the principle of the Helmholtz
opthalmoscope , in which, however, the two rotating plates of
glass would be put in the converging beam. He thought an
ordinary telescope could bo modified in this way fairly easily.

If you should think of trying an arrangement
of this kind Pr. Elkin could doubtless give you useful advice.
His address is 206 Pivingston Street.

I afterwards talked to Professor C. S. Hastings
upon the subject. He informed me that the John A. Brashear
Company of Pittsburgh had made, and he thought still had in
their possession, some small telescopes with split objectives
to be used in the same way as a heliometer. If his memory
is not at fault, they have an aperture of about two inches
and angles of about 1/20-th of a second can be measured by them.
Although those ore smaller instruments than you are looking
for, it might be that hhey would at least serve for your pre-

liminary experiments. I have no doubt that Brashoar
could make a larger instrument of thin type if you desired.

April -20,1917.

I Jr. H. lauor,

132 IVeet 85th Street,

Hew York, H.Y. _

Dear Hr. iauer:

I have received jour favor of
the 18th instant this morning, and jam glad to
hear from you again. _

Hr. Kdiepn would bo very glad indeed
to have you oither aend the diagrams or come .
ovor tomorrow afternoon and see III-. Holland,
whichever will bo most' convoniont to you.

tilth kind rerordc, I remain,

" Yours very truly.

April 20.1917.

Hr. X. Ton Koviczky,

11 Broadway, .

Bow York. E.Y.

Boar Sir:- -

ISc. Edison x'ocoivod your favor of
January E4th , and the booklet in rorard to the
Ever Barra Safoty Suit.'

- He is interested jus t now in lif o
procorvorc of this tyre. If agreeable to yon,
he would liko to havo you sond him a small candle
of the liana silk. If you will kindly forward
it to me, I will bring it to his porbonal atten¬
tion. . • . '

Yours very truly,

- Assistant to Ur. Edison.

A/2924. •

•Joihn Ac IBbsasmiisaiis Co= I/nro.

AHXTCJSNOMUclTAI. AND 1*1IYHICA1. ixsTisuOTacrsTrs

PITTSBURGH, PA., U, S. A, April 20, 1917.

Mr, Wm. H. Meadowcroft.
Tha Edison Baborat orios,
Orange, II. J.

Bear Sir: -

/plying o

'He have your two letters of the 18th and take pleasure in re-
j follows.

First, in regard to the Huygonian eye piece of 2" equivalent
focus, we ora fortunate in having several Bets of lenses for this focus
and one of our men is at work mounting it as I write. As this is one of
oar special wide field eye pieces it will he larger in diameter than the
'ordinary eye piece, and from the fact that your objective is of short foc¬
us we presume it is just what you want. We do not however quite understand
) hut we think the constants will he as

the words (Biameter eye stop, ±yor»

you wish them as we have staWrds after long experience. If you find
you oan get your focus without a draw tube ubo only the eye piece, hut we
are providing a 6" draw tube Ifor use if the eye piece focus comes too far
out in your telescope.

Secondly, as to th^H^Wter' \he'Vn^ thing we have here is
a Fiske Eange Finder, which has a divided objective of 4 inches diameter
, and 30 inohes focus. If the range finder was not so heavy, it might serve
"Mr Edison purpose. The range finder was constructed to measure ship dis¬
tances from a double image of the mast. The weight is about 40 pounds.

We will send drawings of it if you like, or we will loan Mr Edison the
objective, which is a fine one and a suitable eye piece, either erecting

Mr.' Wm. •H.'' Meadoworoft

-2-

or inverting or both and he can mount it to suit his wishes. Write us
and we will do our best to accomodate you. The eye piece will be raddy
this evening.

Pray give my personal and best wishes to my friend of many
years. Tell him his nearly 77 year old friend has 3ust returned from a
five months tour of the Orient and still lives.

Very truly yours,

John A. Brashear Co. ltd.

Chairman.

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My dear Hr. Edison:

I have just had a letter from the Secretary of
War with reference to First Lieutenant S. G. Warner.
Secretary Baker advises me that a month’s leave of absence
has been granted. I am pointing out to him that your re¬
quest was that he be released.

I trust that, in view of the importance of his
own and the character of the work you are performing for
the Government, that this can be accomplished before his
leave of absence expires.

Sincerely yonrs.

Hr. Chomas A. Edison,
Orange, H. J.

Address Salome Arizona .

GEORGE D. MEIKCEJOHN

* Salome Arizona

April 2o 1917

Mr Thomas A. Edison
President
Scientific Board
War Department
Washington D.C.

Dear Mr Edison ,

While here temporarily on a professional,
engagement , I incidentally met Mr H.L. Shackleford , who is
the patentee of an airship . He has patents from our government
Germany Prance and England .

He claims to have made flights with his machine before
Curtis or the Bright machines were known . and from a long con
ference I had with hinu.l am.icbnvincednt , that all he claims
is true .

I subjected him to a rigorous examination and
asked him to give me a detailed writing of history and descrip
tion which he did and copy of same is enclosed herewith , I
having the original .

Should you look upon his invention with favor , and
will send transportation and expenses , for him and myself ,

I shall be glad to go to Washington with him , that you may
have him superintend the construction of a machine .
tie advised me he would go . If all he claims be true , the
government should construct an experimental machine .

Tr sue ting this may interest you as it hasme from my
personal contact with

Vary truly yours,

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

New York Office

Hudson Terminal Buiedinos

30 Cmmcn Street

April PO, 191.7

Hr ,Ti .K . Headowcroft ,

c/o Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, IT. J .

Bear Sir:

Referring to ' our conversation over the telephone
today regarding a visit to Hr. Edison next Monday or
Sues day, as it is desired to see iir. Hutchison also and
he will not he in Orange on Tuesday, it is now Iir.

Coffin's intention to leave TTew York in a motor car at
about 9:45 lionday morning, so that he should arrivo in
Orange at 10:45 to 11 o'clock.

Ur. Coffin will he accompanied hy our president,

Mr. 3. 7/. nice, Jr., and iir. E. Croscluude, the Frenchman
of whom Mr. Coffin wrote to Mr. Edison the other day.

As yet we have not heard definitely that Mr. arcs Claude
can go out on Monday, hut, unhess you hear from us to the
contrary, yon can assume that the visit will he made on
Monday.

Yours truly,

April 21,191?

Mr. Chas. H. Ingersoll, -

- 315 fourth Avenue ,

Hot? York, H.Y.

Dpar Mr. Ingersoll:

. I showed to Ur. Edison your
favor of the 20th instant, and he wishes rao to
hay to you in reply to your inquiry that ho does
not know a thing about fuses, and believes that
his co-labororo aro, oqually -ignorant on that
particular subject. . He has not boon o&llcd
upon to ao any work in connoction with fusos,
and tho- subjoot is an unknown quantity to. him.

If -it wore otherwise, ho would bo. happy to inform
you to the extent of his ability,

Ur. Edison wishes rao' to givo you his
kind ro ardt, to which allow mo to add my OTTn.

Yours yory truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

A/2936,

IDDBLHIOOT,

Commanding Officer, 71et Ji.Y.Inf. H.O.,
Idoat. S.G.V/arner, Co-puny I, 71st H.Y.Inf.,

1. I am just in receipt of S.O.B7 v/ar Department , granting
vou leave of absence for one month. You know perfectly well
my feelings in this matter and it would appear from this order
that, without saying anything to me, or giving me any -ntimation
of what you wore doing you have gone over my hoad in going to the
War Dopartmont to obtain you leave.

2. I consider this unmilitary and discourteous.

S. In view of what you have done, I think tho time has come for

yra to resign and I therefore ask you to forward me your resignation

without furthor delay.

00 - Thomas A. Edison, Esq.

Orange, Hew Jersey,

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KaVATL C CM SU1LT1N <S BOARD 1' 1 /

To the members of the Waval Consulting Board.

A telegram just received from Captain William
Strother Smith states that the meeting on Saturday the 28th
will he in the library of the Wavy Department,

Washington, and that he is mailing passes to all members.

By order of the Chairman the meeting will he
called to order at 10 A.M. , and he suggests that the
chairmen of committees hold their meetings before the date
of the Washington meeting.

The Secretary requests that reports of oomnittees
he presented in writing and in duplicate in order that one
copy may he turned over to the Wavy Department , the other
copy being kept in the Board's files.

* Secretary,

EAVAL cowsultiug board.

„ Not Transferable

State, War, and Navy Department Building

§ GOOD FROM . A. M.TO AM P. M., EXCEPT SUNDAYS AND HOUDATS

« ^ •S' .

GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

New York Office
Hudson Terminal Buildings
30 Chtjrcii Street

April 25th., 1917.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq. ,,
Menlo T’ark.N. J.

Dear Mr. Edison:-

1 have to-day received from a distant cousin of mine
residing in Montana a sketch which 1 enclose herewith
concerning which Mr. Norris writes ir. part as follows: -

"ITy plan would he, with a system of outriggers,
or perhaps davits, to control theposition of the
device, to virtually surround a ship with a hoom
of spars, with plain or corrugated sheet steel,
depending from them to a suitable depth, so as to
intercept and explode, at some distance from the
ship, torpedoes sent from nearly all directions.

As 1 understand it, the nets once used by bavtlesnips
could be used only with the ship at rest, owing to
tlie great friction when in motion, and that torpedoes
now can he provided -with nutting edges at the nose,
so that the nets do not adford adequate protection
even when tire ship is at rest.

"With these spars moving in single file, the
interference with the ships' speed would he
practically negligible .and with controlling supports
at suitable intervals, the ship could manoeuvre
without interference from them.

"The sheet steel could be fastened to the spars
rigidly, or perhaps loosely, to give greater

flexibility."

"Ralph V. Norris."

Encloi

Johk Ao IBnsAsraiEAiK <C©° BLotd.

PITTSBURGH,

April 26. 1917.

My dear friend Edison:-

It was a delight to see your signature to a letter.

It is thirty years since you wrote me the first time, wanting
me to come and take charge of a shop for the making of physi¬
cal apparatus, and when I told you I wanted to stick to my
hobby if I had to be laid away in a pauper's-- what do you
call it? -- you wrote me "You talk like a philosopher'',- the

si**?

first time^ the last time I was called a philosopher until the
darned Ohinese got hold of me.

.Veil, aside from this pleasantry, I write to say we
are packing the Eiske instrument for you. fhought we could
get it off to-day, but ^I_ had to make some sort of a box for
it, and we'll get it off in the A. K.

Admiral Eiske made several changes in it, and I think
it would have been adopted but the secondary image never was quite
satisfactory.

It has been a pretty costly instrument, and like ever so
many other experimental instruments we have made for "the other
fellow", we are left in the hole on the cash side, but then astro¬
nomical instrument makers are all supposed to get to heaven and
get their pay there. As to electricians*, ^hop^ou^hav^ heard
the story told at the Electrical Club of London/; If you haven't,

.-2-

.1 will tell you when I see you; it's too wicked to tell by lette
We are sending you the enclosed description of R. E. E •
and I will have you a set of blue prints made at once.

If you want to take it apart and use the objective eye-

C. A. Coffin, Esq., -

30 Church 3troet,

IJow York, li.Y.

Dear Jlr. Coffin:

I rocoivod your favor of tho £6th
instant, in regard . to tho system augpectod hy your
relative Hr. Horris.

"hie scheme hap been pronocod hy nany
people to the iiavy Department . . I was about to

.propose it; myself, but before doing so I had the
skin friotion and displacement power calculated
for a 600 ft., chip, both sides. 2ho poworrequirod
was so Durorisinply great that I did not bring it
forward . '

< Hr. Horris1 sketch is foturnod to you

enclosed.

. Yours sincerely.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

UriXl*, tt-c, «

JLc/{ -

Mrrvc, 1 I h—r-. ra^T

. I K kJl&eA

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Wtu-vi C*-t- j^~r 'P-t- — ^

Tt-C lyMALtX e^ 5-PM^tA.oi k*-

April £8,1917 .

Ur. Deshlor V.'cleh, " -

c/o Lenox Hotel, >-

Buffalo, II. X.

Dear Ur. Welch: .

your favor of the 27th instant to
Ur. Edison liao boon received. A little explana¬
tion from mo till clear up the matter in your mind.

Ur. Edison’s mail is very- largo, ranch of
it corainr from absolute strango: a, and quite a rc-
spoctnhlo portion from miscellaneous inventors who
desire to submit their ideas to Ur. Edison. 2orae
of the latter arc off orod by registered ra&il , but
under instructions from Ur. Edison wo do not receive
registered mail from strangers tuiloss they previously
notify us by ordinary mall.

Inasmuch as your last lettor was in August,
1916, the name did not recur to us when tho letter
T,as presented, 'and thoreforo, .if was rqfucod, in
accordance with "our gonoral practice.

If you will hindly, as': tho Dost Offico'
to present it again, it will be roebiyed .

Apologising for .the additional trouble to
which you have been put, i remain,

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur. Edison.

a/2996.

.April 30,1017.

Hr. A. E. Eennody,

e/o Cl i'. Irwin,

Union Stroot, i

" Hod 3anl:, 11.3.'

ily^doar Eennody: ■

^Choslor has hand od no a
pair of Zoiso placcca to forward to you, and
I am' oondinp thorn by oxyross thin Iloon, addressed
.to you' in care of 'r. Irwin.

I trust they will be roeoivod safely.
You will note that I have tahen special cere in
packing 'then. ■

c very truly.

Youri

Naval Consulting Board
and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence
May 1917

my 1,1917 .

Howard E. Coffin, Eoq.,

Uunsoy Building.

hashington, D. C.

Dear Hr. Coffin:

I learn from the Hunition rankers
near me that our Government 1b about to adopt a
9. {3 shell instead of 9.2 shell, while everybody
in the United States is rigged up for 9.2. Che
delay in this change would bo months.

- One of the Haters was at Washington
5 days asking what slabs would be adopted and
finally, after being. aont to 5 difforont Bureaus,
or men, the last '.man said 9.6.

Che Hunitions maker said "Everybody
is rigged up for 9.2", but the Bureau man said,
"that don’t matter we think 9.5 is hotter".

. Chore may be some good reason, but it
looks strange to a ’layman.

yours vory truly.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

John A- Braahbar Co.,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Gentlomon :

Via svro in ncod of an eyo-pioee for a
short telescope havinp an objective of Z inches,
diumotor and of about 7-1/2 inches focal length.

Iho oyo-pioco should havo a focal length of 3/4 inch,
but if you have nothing shorter than ono-inch,
v.e cun rnohe that do. An oreoting eyo-nio.ee is
preferable, but tho other type will .also be suit¬
able.

- If -you can furnish the required eyo-ploeo,
you will greatly obliro, •

lours very truly,

P.S. "ho tube for our prosoiit oyo-pioce is 0.913"
ditmolor, but it is not essential- that this bo adhered
to, as wo can easily modify the tolescopo.

Hon. Goorge D. noiklojohn,

Salome, Arizona.

Doar Sir

I have received your favor of the 20th
ultimo, tonothor with history, description and
specification of the Shaokloford Univoroal Air-
Bliip .

If I woro sufficiently familiar with
the auhjoet of airships, I should bo very glad
to offor an opinion, hut they cro out' of my line
and I novor workod on. this subject.

I am affiliated with tho Ilaval Consult-
ing 3oard of thp United States, as "resident, and.
am personally r. orbing on a lot of ilaval problems
for our Government. You will euito readily under¬
stand that at tho prosont time there aro hosts of
suggestions and advices being offorod- to tho Gov¬
ernment, and it would bo impose ible for any one
person to oxanino all of thorn. She- Board ie,
therefore, divided up into a nunbor of Sub-Committoee
consisting of exports in various linos, and when a
dovico is offered to any member of the Committeo,
it is roforrod to :ir. Ihomas Eohins, tho Secretary
of the Board, 15 Pali: JJow, How York, who refers
tho same to the proper Committee i

I, thoroforo, return tho description' of
tho Shackloford Univoreal'Airohip , and would suggest
that you send it to Ur. Eobins.

Yours vory truly.

A/30 2b.

y a-

- fa— cj/wfafa

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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

26 .

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/fd%-

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.

Hay 1,

1917.

My dear Hr. Hutchison:

1 have a letter from the Secretary of War dated
April 25th, in which he states as follows:

"In reply to your letter of the 21st instant
relative to the request of Hr • Thomas A. Edison
that First lieutenant S. G. Warner, 71st Infantry,
Hew York national Guard, he released from the
national Guard to enable him to continue work on
certain experiments at the Edison laboratory , I
have the honor to inform you that if Lieutenant
Warner will submit his resignation through the
proper military channels, it will be accepted.

"There is no other way of complying with
the wishes of Hr. Edison."

I assume you will take the matter up in the
manner suggested by the Secretary of V/ar.

Sincerely yours.

K. R. Hutchison, Esq. ,

c/o Edison Laboratory,
Orange , H . J.

F.oar -Admiral K. S.. Griffin,

Engineer- in-Chicf, II. S. II.,

Ilavy Department,

’.JaGhington, -D. C.

Boar Admiral : Hour lio. 22R73S-'3B£-S -W:

I have recoivod your favor of tho
1st instant, and in compliance with your roquost
have givon instructions for tho packing and ship- •
mont of tho 5-K.Yi. EOO-cycle radio raotor-gonera-
tor, looped to mo onrly in April. It will be
forwarded to the supply Of floor ut the Ilavy Hard
in Brooklyn, and will bo forwarded by Colts Ex¬
press this afternoon or tomorrow morning.

Allow md to reiterate ray appreciation
of the courtesy extended in the loan of this gono ro¬
tor, which has sorvod a' useful purpose in ray ex¬
periments for tho ilavy Dopartmont .

Yours vory truly.

A/3037,

ISiy £, 1017

Ur. John- A. Bras hoar.

j;,xr dear Brashear: -

It was certainly very kind of you
to loan me the Fiske instrument, and_ I appreciate
all the trouble you have tofcon in uonalx of Jnclo
Sam and my self .

If ray esnoriments brinp about the desired
result, v;hich at the present time loots promising,
t think vou may have an opportunity to rot bae,. so~o

iith kindest regard o.

MEW YORK Stay 3n<1

1 I J

k““"

!r. Thorriia Edison,
hanm, N. J

. Edi

cL‘-“'a '

' 14 - . ,
-p.t 3i.i-U*f>b<'

I suppose you get a tushel-
>asketful of suggest ions by each
nail, here is one to swell the
li soord.

Is it any good?

Yours sincerely.

TTSiFLW

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

rj

£. .keeping ahlr)3 afloat after
having baen torpedoed.

Have a series of collapsed parafined canvas
hags attached along both sides of a ship above the
water line.

These will be like the links of a chain of
sausages, and will extend from the how to the stern.
Each hag can be connected by a chain passing under the
keel to the corresponding bag on the opposite side, or
each bag can be placed under a projecting wing of
steel riveted to the sides of the ship.

To prevent the ship from sinking, compressed
air can be forced through a relatively large pipe
from a tank of compressed air on ship-hoard. ; this
will cause the bags to baloon and the ehip thus
supported by the inflated bags might be kept afloat.

Or steel tank3 might be attached a few
feet below the 'line of the loweet deck and the
ship could be supported by them after it had 3unk
to thie level.

pJOMK Ao IBnSAglKIlilAM C30. ILTODo

AffTE1»SOjn€AJ, AM) l»IinfSIliC,\!r. IJlfTTKlTOIRSTS

PITTSBURGH, P

May 4, 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. EdiBon.

Orange, N. 1,

Dear Sir:- In reply to your letter of the 1st we are sending you by insured
parcel post two positive oculars of 0,"75 and 1" eq foous. It is understood
that you are to try out. the eye pieces and return the one not wanted.

Very truly yours,

John A, Brashear Co., ltd.

t

Treasurer

'2fe/V, .

jwLatJ.—

^ •. r /D. . 1 . . ^./az

jQmU/^o m.

d-^oo^t

.Si

?V.L^ _ U(^y.[lCeeu^ Ac<as- c

_ . Ql^thcu

3%

acLdAc-u _ i.fe. _ /:‘r \t<'H^Uun.\. — &.x-^tu*£tfc-.

Jla#A &cc<W [op* ^ ^

_ f<Zwrv>- _

ay dear Friend:

Heplyine to your letter of March 23. I take pleasure in replying
that I now can take ears of all the gases generated in submarines , and
at very low cost.

Also, the gases or fumes from Diesel engines.

The chemical compound that I have devised will absorb or elimi¬

nate them all; and two of the gases can be utilised, making a calor¬
ic power nearly double that of gasoline, toward the propelling of the
submarine to more than thirty knots per hour.

There are only two persons in the world that know the formula,
one of my assistants and myself.

I have inspected a number of submarines, and know what I am

writing about.

Wishing you success in all your endeavors, I remain
Faithfully yours,

Edison Portland Cement Co.

STEWARTSVILLE, N.J.

Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange , H. J .

Dear Ur. Edison: -

I note your comments as to the concrete
ship proposition, and I am today in receipt of a letter from
Ur. E. Huntington Clark, Chief Engr. of the U. S. Shipping
Board, Washington, D. C., which reads as follows :-

"Many thanks for the information contained in
yours of the 30th, regarding the concrete for vessels
and you may rest assured that the problem will receive
earnest consideration. .. , .

We must confess that we feel a little timid about
such a radical departure from standard methods of ship
construction at this time on large scale. At the same
time, we must admit that the arguments in favor of
concrete construction are of sufficient force to
justify thorough investigation."

I am having Ur^JEtercy. H. ^Wilson., who has
had considerable experj.enoe--bo'th"in ship-building and^also
in concrete construction, prepare a report as to the feasi¬
bility of the^i'dea, which X expect to send to Mr. Clark <ln
the c ourself a fewdays.

Wilson is collecting information as to
the .vibration method of pouring conorete.^and toll me on
Eiiday/last that by this method-, plusS,* double- time in
U'i 4,1, Jk he felt', it was entirely practical to

Yours very truly,

Presiden(t. )

WSU-KBS

tv*

WILTING BOARD

- jjj J:

IIS OF THE SECRETARY

/ May 71

i3 Parr Row, UewYorr

Mr. Thomas A.'vEdisoa,

Gentleman: N\ ^ u***"£*&j 1

Captain Kaempff of the 0.8. "Jupiter" ■KStjrJf’T?
leaving this oountry about the 16th ana wlsheg-to -y-,

himself with smoke producing

The British merchant ships use a material wbioh they
receive in 30 pound sealed tins, wbioh contains phosphorous
and one or more other materials-,, which we are not able to name.
Moreover, the constitution of the^mixtureis not known to the
British naval authorities who are.nctwjn this/ oop-try.

;“,s 5%sss.“i!- Si tSmmS «5. '4,«s^s*st,,,“*

a mixture from our own ohemioal knowledge, v The first ■ Ji®?,
does not seem practicable as the English Bhip. captains are under
strict orders not to open their tins. \sCts4r

s.*s sm assr-sMra.^K^r

J.T.U .»

mixture for this purpose.

Captain. Kaempff tells me that a 30 pmn&oaa of^tbe
Jga gTSlTS- any ffi2

part pf phosphorous, that is all we know about it,

I enclose a rough sketch of the device used for burning-
this material by the English.

w „&srV am tS? r.:W£s

attention if possible.

Captain Kaempff was referred to'
Yours very truly r
NAVAL 31 — ""

TB/H

Vatol CaerswianrG Board

OF Tiir.r>Tri3H states

AS A- E?i?R{fc,N. -

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

13 Park Row, New York

May 7, 1917

Extracts from Minutes of the Haval Consulting Board.

Meeting of Ootober 7; 1915;

She prooeedings and discussions of this Board shall he re¬
corded by the Secretary and part or all of them may be made
public only by him, with the concurrence of the presiding of¬
ficer and the approval of the Secretary of the Havy.

Meeting of Hovember 4. 1915:

HES01TED,' that there be appointed an Editing Committee,' to
which the members are invited to submit for suggestions their
statements intended for publication. ( The Chair appointed

as members of this Committee Messrs. H.A. Wise Wood and
Ehomas Robins ) .

Meeting of February 9; 1916;

Moved and oarried that Mr. Sprague be made a member of the
Editing Committee.

Meeting of April 14; 1917;

Moved and carried that in view of the fact that the
United States is now at' war the Haval Consulting Board does
not oonsider it consistent with public interest that any of
its prooeedings should be given out for publication.

Secretary,

Hay 8,1917

Dr. 2. 2. Gaunt,

55 host 50th Stroot, '
How York, II. Y.

Doar Dr. Gaunt:

l.!r. Edison received your favor
of the 2d instant. Ho exceedingly busy,
day and night, on hie. experiments for the Govern- ~
meat, bnt found time to read your le ttor ana
suggestion. <

Ho wishes no to write and acknowledge
the sano and to say in reply that your scheme
has many aofoctc, and he doubt's whether it would
he practicable. - • ■

1 Yours very truly,- •

Assistant to . .Mr . -Edison.

A/3076.

Hoar Admiral Goo. E. 3urd, U.'S. II.,

Brooklyn Ilavy Yard,. '

i Brooklyn, 11.1.

liy dear Admiral: '

a few days ago I recoivod the
Box containing 50 pro joetilos for the ono-poundor
gun which you. loaned mo from the Ilavy Yard . "he so
50 woro much bettor than tho. first £5 that you
oont no. They acorn to have boon loaded with a
difforoht kind of powder. ;

I.am making some vory aatiefactory
testa with the ono-pounder, and I would like to.
hare some more projectiles exactly like the last
lot of 50. I bolieve a full. box contains 60 pro-
jectiloc, and I would liko to have that quantity,
till you teko care of this, or phall« hdvo to
ask oleowhero for thorn?. .

Ono word In regard’ to shipment. Che
last lot of to projectiles wore forwarded from
tho Brooklyn ilavy Yard by Central Kailroad, of :iow
Jersey, and thoy travelled £00 miles boforo I
got then. bill you kindly instruct the Uupply
Officer to notify me when the next lot is ready
and I will have Colth Express call for thorn, or
ho cen ship them to mo via Colts Express .

- Yours vory truly.

a/3102. ;

'k0>

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N,u.»,.tk May,

9 th,
19X7.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Valley Road,

Orange, II. J .

Dear Sir:-

I contemplate applying to the War
Department, Office of the Chief Engineer,
Washington, D. C., for an appointment
as an officer in the United States Army.
And, to also offer my services to the
Commission of the national Defense at
Washington.

Being required to furnish letters
of recommendation, X teg to request,
should you consider such expedient, you
to give me such letters; one addressed
to each of the atove.

I fully realize that you are ex¬
tremely tusy, but hope that you may find
a moment to assist me in my efforts to
also forward the good work.

Yours very truly,

■ GAV//M " '

25 Church St., Hew York

Ur. G. A. wOllE,

SC Church fitroot,

Ilew York, II. Y.

Hear 3ir:-

- Your fav,or of tho 9th instant to Ur .
Edison has boon reoeivod, and ho wiohes do to
express his regret that ho' will bo unable to ,
comply with your request in furnishing the letters
of recomnondation desired. Ho is rocoiving a
largo lot of similar applications , but owing to
his official connection with the Goyarnnont, ho
doos not fool thathho is at liberty to givo letters
of thia kind. V \

Yonrs vory truly.

Assistant to JJr. Edison.

A /311b.

Hay 10,1917.

'Hr, 2homao Robins,

Secretary, Ilaval Consulting Board,

13 Pari: How, -
Bow York, E.Y.

Boar. Lir. liobine:

. Horowith I hand you a letter
from Governor Hyron 2. Herrick, togother with
Blue print of a device dbvolopod by two friends,
Lipcsrs . fravoe and langnor. You will soo from
the Pencil note attached to the letter and blue
print that Hr. Edison has looboa it over and
has made a mono rand am for you to the effect that
thie looks pretty pood- to him. Ho would like
to have you bring it to" the attention of tho
nroper Committed of tho Board, _

Yours vory truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

A/5118.

Enclosures' - 3.

Doniaon & Doyle Co.,

229 Chestnut St.,

' Philadelphia , Pa . ,

Door Sirs:

Kr. Edison roquocts mo to writo to,
you ana ask if yon wili kindly Bond sample of
your cotton substitute.

If you will kindly mail tho sample
to mo, I will bring it to' Hr. Edison's porcohal
attention at onco .

: Yours yory truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

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Thomas A. Edison, Xno. ,

Orange, N.J.

Mr. W.H. Meadowcroft:

We are sending by Parcel
Post goggles we showed you this morning,
and also the balanoe of blaok goggles,
on whioh we have fitted the new bridge.

This bridge is not as strong
as it would be in the finished produot,
as it was Boldered in our shop and, of
oourse, is not as rigid aB would be required.

We have also fitted the headband to this
goggle .

We feel sure this will be -f-
the best sample yet submitted, as -a>t=ts^^frvu<3^v-vv
oan be controlled so as not to be unoom-
fortable to the wearer. ‘ ■

The felt lined goggle is
sent so that Ur. Edison oan see how it
looks, but we fear that it wouldi be too
heating to the skin. The blaok goggle is
especially desirable, as it is the deadest
and most sanitary goggle of the entire Xot.

C;i. 5 Construction is the simplest

and, in our opinion, it offers advantages
over every other we have seen.

We would be glad to hear your

report.

JULIUS KING

Asst

)PTICAL CO.

r

to jr.p.

spw/bw

Division IK QUESTION: laboratory

SUBJECT: Charter of Yankoe III

Sate

Hr. A. U. Kennedy:

Hr. Headowcroft has sent me for file the
standard Yacht Charter under 'which the Yankee III has been
chartered from William E. Spencer In oonneotion with the work
you are doing.

1#

It ooours to ms that you would very likely
be glad to know the provisions of this charter, so that you
may have them for handy reference, and I bog to advise the
oharter covers principally the following points:

The oharter 1b for a period of three months,
from and Including the 12th day of Hay, 1917 to end Including
the 12th day of August , 1917.

The sum to be paid Is $1200.00 sb follow:

$400.00 on signing of this Agreement
$400.00 on or before June 12th
$400.00 on or before July 12th.

The ovner agrees to deliver the yacht In good
condition as to hull, machinery and rigging, and with her full
equipment, including gear, furnishings and other belongings on
• the 13th day of Hay, 1917 at Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island.

Owner agrees to put the yacht In commission
and pay all expenses In oonneotion therewith.

Owner agrees to Insist in engaging an efficient
orew of three men. Including officers.

Hr. Edison agrees to pay and feed officers and

crew.

Hr. Edison agrees to pay all other running
expanses of the yacht during the term of oharter.

Should Hr. Edison not redeliver the yaoht at
the time agreed upon, he Is to pay demurrage to the owner at the
rate of $13.33 per day for eaoh day or portion thereof whlotyttie
may he detained.

Ur. Edison agrees to pay for or make good
any loss to the yacht for equipment not oovered or recoverable
under the polloy of insurance taken out by the owner or which
may have occurred from any cause other than one arising frame r
a breaoh of the conditions set out in Paragraph 1 of the
Agreement which provides that the owner agrees to deliver the
yaoht for charter in good condition as to hull, machinery, eto.

Ur. Edison agrees to pay the cost of
extra hazard insurance, War risk, if any.

It is agreed that a complete inventory of all
the articles forming the equipment of the yaoht shall be
taken and form a part of the agreement. This no doubt has
been attended to.

It ie understood and agreed that any changes
made in the boat will be paid for by fflr. Edison and will be
removed at his expense and the boat returned to the owner in
the same condition as when received.

We will arrange to make the payments as
indloated by the contract unless otherwise advised by you.

If any special circumstances oome up in connection with
agreements, you of course will advise me.

C.O. to Ur. Ueadoworoft, uni

Constable.

Hay is, 1917

Hon. Saniol P. IIinahan,

hayor, orange, U.J.

Iiy Hoar 3ir:~

Ehie io to recorvaond the issuance
by you of a permit^/to J. Chosler of thd liaison
Laboratory, to carry a revolver. Ho is working
a groat Seal at nights with li r. Edison personally,
lours very truly.

Assistant to I!r. Edison.

A/3133.

Hay, 12,1917.

John A. Brushcar Co. ltd . ,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Gentlemen:

Your favor of. the 4th instant, and
the tfto. positive oculars of 0."7B ana l"-oq focus
have boon received, and I hoc to. than]: you for
your prompt attention.

- It is possible that'TTo nay want to
keep both tho oculars, and I proeune you will
have no objection if we retain them for a short '
time until we oen decide tho question.

Yours vory truly,

'A/31C9. - .

/

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/My ^bar Mr. Edison: ^

May 13, 1917.

I am enclosing a letter from a Mr. Const'antine which
contains a suggestion that is new to me and may he worth
consideration. His scheme is to have a vessel, well armed
against submarines, and with, good speed, to he fitted with
some apparatus that will transmit sounds through the water
simulating the pounding engine and slowly revolving screw
of some tramp steamer. If a submerged submarine hears
this sound she might come to the surface to attack the
supposed tramp and get an unexpected reception.

I am just sending it for your consideration.

With regards and best wishes.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H. J.

Hr. Isaac. C. Vioo, ' -

305 9 tli Street.

Oakland, Cal.

Dear Sir:- •

Your favor of the 9th instant has boon received,
oBd Ur. Edison wishes mo to write and thunk you for it and
to say. for your information, that noitlior he nor any of
his eolloapucB has invented such a machine|as reported by
the newspapers.

It. is true that Hr. Edison is makine some onpori-
monts for the Government, but the newspapers publish all
sorts- of wild rumors, oono of thorn, like .tho one, you men¬
tion, without any basis of fact.

‘ Yours very truly,

- Assistant to Ur. Ea.ison.

A/3150,

Mr. H. B. Rogers, _

Assistant to Uonagor,

Belie on ianp Y.orks,

Harrison, II. J.

Boar Ur. Rogers:

Allow mo to thank you for your
prompt action in sending over tho twonty-fivo G-CO
bulbs and nocoBsary tubing for. stoma. 2heeo bulbs
wore exactly what wo wanted, ana if you had beon
hero to note .Ur. liaison's pleasure in such prompt
attention, you would feel noro than fop aid for tho
troublo you took. .

Yourcf very truly.

Assistant to Ur. aaison.

WEST

TEL1

UNION

AM

NEWCOMB CARLTON.

Chicago. Ill <.5 /lts/l?

ghos. A. Edison

Orange, . J .

- One of the principal Chemical Engineers
KUai t.h‘ EnPinea-^ thinteB^ ho ' can^y.'oriC out.

! rnn»r.AP.+.«VI v:ith our U&S anpinca una.i.'-o -

- bchemo <MK obtain .chemicals, pro^f* by gog^n,,
„„^vT., f^r ....A nf finvnrrMnnl; in Munition iiPrhB-. -

' ie^anWmo -t^glve.him letter hf ;i
••• - -coaie co-^to .Prtm'tro. onci-nf this vopir .nr ppt:'u iih-vu-

woek~ ■ "'Do^Morwan^io £ive'him V .latter :'unleeB:-you. ^ ,

. M ailing: to ; rocrtvo, hm-V. jlpaoo. Vilro. rqpx,-- -

UNDER'S ADDRESS

(over 'pliorie .11:04 ‘AH Operator A. L. )

■al, li.iS.ttil;-

Iavm, C <[e&t swli'in cj Board

Ol? TIIE UNITED STATICS

Ol'lMCK Ol" THIS SECRETARY

la Panic Roiv, NrwYokk.

<yi.<

Hay 15,' 1917

Hr, Ehomas A. Edison,
Edison laboratory.
Orange,' 11. J,

Boar Sir:-

Heferring to the conversation yesterday
between the writer and Ur. Meadow era ft, we asked
the Havy Yard to send over a man to get the in¬
strument for facilitating the detection of periscopes
or other objects at sea on bright, glary days. She
Havy Yard sent over Boatswains Mate Struth this morn¬
ing,' and we are enclosing to you herewith a copy of
our letter of Hay 15th addressed to Commander Upham
showing the disposition which we have made of the
matter.

Commander Upham is to advise us as to the
operation of the device during the cruise and as
soon as we hear from him we will communicate with
you again.

Very truly yours ;

HAVA! COUSUlIIiTG 30AP.D,

Secretary.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

May 16; 1917

Dear Sir:-

' Referring to our telephone conversation this
afternoon; we are sending you herewith by the hands of
Boatswains Mato J. Struth, a devioe whioh was developed
by Mr. Thomas A. Edison, for the purpose of facilitating
the detection of porisoopeB or other objects at sea on
bright, glaiy dayB.

Boatswains Mato Struth went over to Mr.Edison’s
offioe in Orange this morning to get the instrument ana
he also had an opportunity to disousB it with Mr. Edison,
so that ho will be able to explain to you how it is to
be used.

In aooordanoo with your suggestion, we wouia
be very glad to have you send this devioe out on one of
your patrol boats for a few days oruiBe and advise us in
relation to same.

Very traly yours;

HAVAL C0HSU1TIHG BOARD,'

THOMAS ROBINS.’

Secretary.

Commander Upham;
Building Ho. 1,
Havy Yard;
Brooklyn; H.Y.

m/s

Copy to Hr. EdiBon

P.oor Admiral 0. E. Burd,

United States Uavy Yard,

- Ilovr York, JI.Y.

Uy dear Admiral;

I received your favor of the
13 tn ins tant,- enclosing a letter from a !.ir.
Constantine outlining a schomo vhich he proposes
for enticing Submarines.

X am afraid Iir,. Constantine cannot
imitate the sounds of a scrov.' propeller and send
them out further than his steamer's own propollor.

• I am glad to laion that' you aro thinking

of malting a visit to Orange. I knou you are
busy , and all I can say is come over nhon you can.
Chore are lots of things that I rould liko to talk
ovor r,ith you. ;

With kindest regards, I ronain,
fours vc:y truly.

P.C. I return Jlr. Constantino's letter horovrith. ■

A/316C.
Enclosuro .

Copy for I.ir. Kennedy.

Subjeot-Ynnkoo III and Hr.llonnody.

Confirming oorvor tint ion c

telephone this': wmlnr.

t'r.Konnedy roportofl yontoruay that thoro war. trouble -vith the
olut oh and that they wore about leaving Cold spring hnroor.

Th<n inomin - ho bale honed ngain .writ or not being initafco the
ireaaape a» roccived Ithnt- the boat ««o at tho l:i£hluna»,aad thoro had boon
considerable trouble . '.th tho dutch.

•voatonloy tho writer mu omioatei with tho T.nffalo otor c~
end they dtu$ed that any work on Yankee III would have proooodanco J

ihtt

. thbirSronrooont.ot ive and ttnont for their wngtaon , and that they

vrould write, you thet tmy work would “bo t&ken up promptly*.

' The abovo cover* the subject to dato and yon know tho importauoo
of tho vfo'rk.-in which Yankee- .ITT 'ill bo on-wod. — ■ ■

noth tho engine and clutch \»ci*o in first

touch

with the boat", oho io-as I'underntand on her way to yo nr place now.if aho
10 hold at the :ri=hlando fj)r wont of r ower Kindly nend.ono of your launch
to brinp.hor .up the river. ' . '

v.hilo naturally w® want. to keen coato down tho Boat important
thing in to got her gojlng in first olaaa order.

/ i-miiao rtoimr.unicate with a®, by talophono oa Above ,whon you havo

/found 4u,t thO trbSwa iSiSk and boro you’ will find the trouble u.oro
>: a rjattefr of adjustment than structural.

if: V' Have yen ways largo- enough to huul^or.or could yon r-ut bar oa

tl'/o befioh and go ovor her bottom?, oho wao painted last fall below
- bt3t hao boon afloat, all winter and too. bottom should be ta.to/1 .oaro of xx
p'ooaiblo . y ...

/ ' Thanking you - in advonoo for youi* prompt attontlon and. that tho

boat njay be put in shape J.n"jic tlnift'V

Youra vory •jiruly.

Kay 17, 19X7.

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Care Edison's Laboratory,

Orange, New Jersey.

;£y dear Edison:

This will introduce to you Mr. J.
M. Morehead about whom I telegraphed you on the
15th. Mr. Morehead is an expert chemist for
gas and manufacturing interests and is the chief
chemist of the carbide industry. He would lik

to have a talk with you in connection with the pro
duction of chemicals for Government munition work.

Yours sincerely,

my 10,1917-.

Seth Ehomas ciock Co.,

Hew ' York, II. Y. '

Gentlemen r

Shis will introduce Hr. John Gargan,
who is engaged with I!r. Edison on some experimental
work for the United States Havy Department’. I!r.
Edison wishes to. arrange for some special clock
work which Ur. Gargan can explain to you, and we
trust that. you will kindly cooperate with Hr. Edison
'on thiB work as it lo oxtromoly important. - .

' • Yours vory truly.

Assistant to llr. Edison.

A/3181.

10,1917 .

Western Electric Co.,

463 West Stroet,

Hew York, H.Y.

. Attention ;.sr . Ochriovo :

Herowith wo are Bonding you the -drawing
for tho two magneto about which you have already ■
haa a- telephone convorcation with our Ur. J.Cieslor.
Hr. Edison is very glad to loarn that you will, under¬
take to havo these made', and trusts, that nothing
may occur to cause any delay.

- If you wish any further particulars , will

you kindly call Hr. Choslor on tho ’phone.

Yours very truly.

‘ a/3191;

for , *~2 &*

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IrrY/z^fot* <0**^

,ws? 4- *~f-

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**ZZ

_ _ ^ .w^7 z+zrfL F*j

■^4-r /t*> >t*rt**/'/

660 S~ Z&C,

May £1,1917. '

Howard E. Coffin, Saq.,
llonsoy Building,

Washington^ 3). C.

iiySonr Ur. Coffin: , ' ‘ '

Host of tbo lurgo Gas Companion
cun produce largo quantitioc of Bonzol and toluol"
providing tho Oovornmont requests thorn to do so and
■aro allowed to rofluco, tho candlo power of thoir gas.

Host oil small Gas Companies hnvo tho right
to coproduce tho candle power to a certain point, hut
local lavra in eono of tho largo oltioo provent It.

Gao is now. largely acod for hoatinr, oloctric lighting
taking tho plaoo of eono .

It occurs to. mo at this' tino.that it is a
chono that both Bonzol and especially toluol for. f.B.f.
ehould bo wasted in gas otovoc , when it io bo badly
noodod and tho prlco oo abnormally high. Cho Britich
wan to aro far mono than they can got. I think you
should loot into this. ;

- I an told by tho Knglneor of tho Chicago Gao
Co. that they aro now getting vout about 11,000 gollons
of Bonzol and toluol, but on account of tho local City
low con go no furthor, although tho Stoto law allows
0030. Ho eoyo ho could Doro than doublo tho output
if thoy only hod to comply with tho iitato law.

.'If you want to know noro about thia, I can
have tho hnglnoor eono down to Washington, bb ho is now
in -tho Ijpet on a short vacation-. V

fours vory truly,

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Waltham Watch Co.,

Waltham, Hass.

Attention nr. Conovor Fitch, Vlco-PreB.

hoar Sir '

She writer called on ilr. lake of your
How York office laBt Friday in r oforoneo t o a
clock which ill*. Hdison will require in connection
with somo experimental work now being done for
the United Statoe Havy Department. I.lr. Lake gave
the natter very careful attontion, but on account'
of the technical and manufacturing questions involved,
suggested that wo' consult you.

to explanation of our requirements , wo
hro using a heavy spring motor oloctricelly self¬
winding,' fo: driving a heavily loaded dice. She
motor speed is regulated by:. a centrifugal govornor,
but this regulation whilo cloco is not sufficiently
accurate for our purpose and thorofore wo wich to
obtain a good clock movement to be usod as a corroc- •
five moans . -

Our plan is to have a shaft projecting
from the clock movomont in line with a shaft from
the motor mechanism, but those shafts are not to
'bo connoetod. Choy are to run at approximately
the same speod, say one revolution ppr minute, and
a very light contact arm on the clock shaft is to
make oloctrieal contacts on an arm attached to the.
motor shaft, the effect of which is to either haB ten
or rotard tho motor speed whenever the speed of the
motor shaft varies from that of tho clock. Che con¬
tacts would only bo made when tho motor stopped out
of speed a certain allowable amount, the electrical
imnulsos thus obtained would - oporato through magneto ;
toeithor lighten or increase the load on the hall,
govornor and thus bring the motor hack in step with
tho clock.

Shis apparatus is to he used 6n shipboard and
the clock must therefore bo provided with a lever
oscapemont. It should koop time to within 6 seconds
per day although ovon closer regulation is desirable
if it ccn readily be obtained; We would roquiro- two
such movements for our experimental work.

As wo wish to obtain a -clock which is as accur¬
ate as possible, it appoars that the Waltham eight-day
box Chronometer might bo usod for the' purpose if such
a controlling shaft could bo brought out or the rear
of the movomont. We realize, of course, that there
ma-» bo various reasons why such altorations could not
be^mado and that it is apt to causo you considerable
trouble to make up two movements,, in this way. Howevor,
in view of the importance of this work, we feel that
we can count on your cooperation insofar as you may
bo able.

If such alterations could be made, wo would be
glad to havo you quote us with dolivory- promise on
'two Chronometers thus alterod, less wood caso, or wo _
will thankfully reooivo any alternative suggestions
or recommendations you might make. Wo foel that you
will give this matter prompt attention and. would bo
pleased. to hear. from you at an early dato.

Yours very truly,

* EDIS0I1 LA30EA2 OP.Y ,

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Edison laboratory.

Orange, N. J.

Dear Sir :

Please accept my thanks for the interview you granted me
yesterday, your very courteous attention to what I had to say,
the interest you took in the proposition, and for your letter to
Mr. Coffin.

I am leaving here the end of this week to spend Sunday
in North Carolina, and I will pass through Washington on my return
early next week. If Mr. Coffin should care to see me, I could
stop off in Washington and call on him Monday or Tuesday, the 28th
or 29th.

It has been my intention to offer to the Government my
services for the duration of the war. I think I could be of most
service in connection with the production and recovery of Toluol,
Benzol and other gas products useful for munitions, and I thought
of enlisting and applying for a commission in the Department of
Engineers and asking to be detailed on that work.

If you know of any other way in which I could be of more
seryice during this national emergency, I would be glad to have
you consider me at the disposition of your Committee.

I am 46 years old, of independent means, a University
graduate ih Electrical and Chemical Engineering; am a consulting

engineer by profession, retained by a number of the largest
V.'aier Gas, Oxygen and Acetylene companies in the United States;
have had 24 years' experience in the handling of men and in the
production of illuminating gas, calcium carbide, acetylene, and
oxygen by both the electrolytic and liquid air processes. I am a
member of most of the scientific societies in connection with the
various industries mentioned, and have a very wide acquaintance
among the personnel of the various Gas, Carbide and Oxygen
Companies of America.

Very truly yours,

THE ADVISORY COMMISSION
COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE

WASHINGTON

May 23, 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Orange, H. J.

My dear Mr. Edison:

I have the pleasure to acknowledge receipt of your letter of May 21st,
which I have carefully read. In reply, I will say that we have had up with
the Committee of the National Electric *ad=8SB- Light Association! the matter
about which you write, and they have placed a representative down here to
work with us on just such problems as this which may come up from time to
time, in connection with the manufacture of munitions.

While it does not seem necessary for the Engineer of the Chicago Gas
Company to make a special trip here at this time, I shall, of course, be
glad to have him call to see mo whenever he may be in Washington.

Thanking you for your kindness in writing me in regard to this matter ,

ft ico-Vi fx.Lj

H-UU Sc!t}6

C. FITpH.'priEp'loENT

Y^ALTHAM ^ATCH 0OMPANY

Waltham. Mass.

May i?3, 1917.

H.L. BROWN, Trea

Edison Laboratory, Attention Mr. John Gargan.

Orange, N.J.

Gentlemen:-

Your letter of May Plst la received and contents duly
noted. This Company will be glad to do what It can to help out In
the experimental work which you are doing for the U.S. Navy Dept.

We are sending you one of cur 8-Duy movements. This
is the only movement which we make which we believe might be suit¬
able for your purpose. It runs eight days, as its name implies,
an'd is a very accurate time piece. On examining the movement you
will note thut the second hend shaft revolves once per minute,
which we understand is the speed you require for your regulating
device. This second hand shaft can be lengthened, within reason¬
able limits, on either end, depending upon the direction of drive
which you call for. The power of this movement is such that the
shaft of the- second hand can be sc lengthened and made to carry
a light load, but you oan understand that the load must be light,
otherwise it will interfere with the time-keeping qualities of
the movement.

We suggest that you examine this movement in con¬
nection with what you want to do, and let us know whether or not
you think such an arrangement, as we suggest would give you the
drive which you want. If this scheme appears feasible to you,
and you will send us drawings of hew you wish to apply it, and how
much cf a load the second hand shaft will he required to carry, we
will at once inform, you- whether in our opinion it is practical or
not. We should be glad to sur.pl y. you as soon as possible with the
movements fitted in this manner If the scheme seems t.o bo a practi¬
cal one. Should you decide that the second hand shaft should be
lengthened on the dial side, the time indicating dial could be
made smaller than !the -present or.e, which we believe would be
satisfactory. '

It would be impossible, owing to the tine required
in making tools, lack -of skilled- labor, etc. for us to get up a
special movement for this purpose, as it would take considerable
time to build. We have, however, applied this P-Day movement on
certain regulating devices, like the thermostat, and find they can
be depended upon to run well and keep close to. time if carrying
a light additional load. -

Shall be glad to hear from you qn receipt of this
letter and the movement > and get your requirements in detail form.

! Yours very truly, ^ x .

: WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY

PLEASE ADDRESS YOUR REPLY TO THE VICE PRESIDENT President.

nay 24,1917

Ur. R. J,. H. Do Looch,

6606 Harvard Avanue, ■

Chicago, Ill.

Dour Ur. Do looch:

I am in recoipt of your favor
of tho 20th instant, and in reply can only say
that .thero seems to bo no possible way to attract
or deflect a torpedo, iiagnotism will not attract
it, and explosives, even If thoy aro sot off only
20 foet away, would not deflect it.

. Yours very truly.

N'.Al'VY DEPARTMENT

WASHINGTON

VB-WSS-26840

My dear Mr. Meadowcroft: ■

_ help of Mr. Frank Smith, in Seoretary

Baniels office, I am trying to keep a correct file
of Mr. Edison's letters to the Secretary. The majority
of them are referred to my office for action hut occa¬
sionally one goes to some other office and it is the
longest time before I can get hold of it and see that

oon 3?^letter to 1Sr' Smith you referred to Eeport
89C, of vmioh I have no copy. I do not know where to lo¬
cate it and 29B.I have alright. In 29B, dated May 16th.
reference is made to the Secretary's letter of the 11th
and I cannot locate a copy of that.

I am writing to ask you if you will kindly send me
a carbon of eaah letter that is written so that I may
know where to look for it and trace it up. I think this
will help very materially in getting quiok action as I
put Mr. Edison's letters first before any others and keep
the file in a drawer in my desk.

As you probably know I am the officer on special
duty in Seoretary Daniels office handling all the business
of the Naval Consulting Board and I think thiB method will
be the best one to follow. With the immense amount of
correspondence coming to the Navy Department, this office
alone receives three thousand letters a week, it is not
surprising that some letters go astray, so if this idea
appeals to you, will you please carry it out. Address under
separate envelop carbons of letters to Captain W. S. Smith
Navy Department, Washington, D. C., and let the official
letter come as you have heretofore done.

Mr. Wm. H. Meadowcroft,
c/o Edison Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.

] WESTEBisI UNION

■ xblKam'

RECEIVED AT^„S (ViA!H ST.'

ORANGE, W* J-

99nG AL 68 ML

MG ORANGE NJ MAY 25-17

EDISON LABORATORY ORANGE NJ

TELL MR EDISON I TALKED WITH A FRIEND A SILK EXPERT TONIGHT. HE SAYS'
SILK MANUFACTURERS DO NOT WIND SINGLE FILAMENTS FROM COCOON IT IS NOT
COMMERCIAL SINGLE FILAMENTS ARE ONLY. A CURIOSITY MITSUI MAY HAVE SOME,
MY FRIEND TAYLOR WILL SEE MITSUI ABOUT IT SATURDAY MORNING AND,
TELEPHONE YOiT\f THEY HAVE IT YOU SEND MESSENGER. YOU CAN TELEPHONE
PATERSON SILK PEOPLE ANYWAY USING MY. PRIVATE TELEPHONE.

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Mr. Edison wants to get small samples of single silk
fibres as they are unwound from the ooooon. It is
for very important Government work and Lir. Edison would
send a man right over in an automobile for samples if
he can obtain them. He also wants to know whether
different cocoons give single fibres of different thick¬
ness; if so he would like to get several samples.

SIUGIiE FIBRES:

Doherty Silk Co., Paterson, referred me to Mr.H.
Pengnet, Secretary of the Silk Assn, of America,
also Secretary of the U. S. Conditioning £: Testing
Co., 340 Hudson Street, (phone Spring 8751). latter
concern only too glad to cooperate with Mr. Edison
and will have a package ready if we send over. Sent
PS Brady over to get it.

Mr. Taylor also spoke to the above people and
virtually arranged contents of the package, which Mr.
Brady will get.

Hay £0,1917

I.!ra. Anna Louioo Oetrhndor,

739 a. Y.achinpton Street,

Louisville, fy.

Dear Madam:

' ur. iidioon -wishes me to actnov.lodro
the receipt of your favor of the 13th instant
and to thanh you for' your hind intoroot in raal:-
inf: the. surfoetton which you of for. Ho oa.-s
tli- t this: eurrcction has already boon 'mid c by a
preat number of poop'o, and it ic doubtful whether
any practical application can bo made of it.-

. Hr. Kdicon wishes mo to tlianh you also
for tho i.ind wichcu that you have exproseod for

hin. ,

lourc vo ry truly, v

' Assistant to ill" • iidiaon.

a/3253.

w

palmeb physical laboratory

PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

J,

n-V

May 31,' 1317.' V

lL u* ^ rr

*****

arfSK-oposed use of .ethyl tfitr.t.

Mr.' Thomas A
Orange, N.

DeaV Sir:' .

S viith regariT^Lo^fh^11 proposed l,~ - - v

d place of alcohol for the torpedo fuel whloh was 1 * "“J" ^
at ion in my last report, I have to report that it is not avails
I. had found it listed in chemical price ^

that the supply came from Germany, P«t the «U. in thB
hands of the Chairman of the Chemical .ommittee ■

Research Council,- and he reported that an expensive plant would
have to be constructed in order to make a supply availableV even
in sufficient quantises J^>r the

have to report alf^h'er'^sifiitfty which^eems to us woFth a
trial and which seems l^W^ove woVth while, I enclose
a copy of the dotijffsf^fa which I am sending also to the
Torpedo Engineer at Newport with suggestions, r---J ~

Briefly,' the plan is to spray
flame a concentrated solution of ammonium r.iti

simply water, as at present. The principle characteristics of
NtUNOs which render it promising are::

(1) It has a negative heat of solution and a positive
heat of dissociation, so that it itself furnishes a large part
of the heat required to evaporate it,- dissociate it and raise
products to the temperature of the combustion flask,

(2) It is very soluble, stable in solution and its
products of dissociation are all gaseous.

(3) It may be used in the present type of torpedo,'
no change in construction or operation except that the water
container should be made a little larger in proportion to the
other containers. -

(4) It is inexpensive and can

; the test,-

air-alcohol
e instead of

ritli

be obtained in any quantities.

type of torpedo engine, there apperas to be a gain (
\5Yc to 25* in power to be expected,! depending on thi
of the solution used.- This,' in turn depends on he
temperature at which he torpedo is likely to be usi

t4fc VTXAA.0X U»VV A-O-tu&jtity uA%A. XlrnKfii*t>XZ\Aj\

In making this calculation we have not taken i
the possibility that some of the N20 which is forme!
decomposition of NH+NOs may further dissociate into
and oxygen.; If this happens to any great extent it
considerable additional advantage for two reasons:' I
dissociating,. N20 liberates a large amount of heat;
oxygen from dissociation would aid in supporting con
thus enabling the dimensions of the compressed air 1
diminished.- ?,'e have not included this effect in out
because of the uncertainty regarding the distribute
temperature in the combustion flask,! whose average t
supposed to be about 705°C.- (N20 is said to dissoci
300°. and I775°.C,. but its tendency to dissociate depe
on the pressure and the nature of the gases with whi
mixed.- ?/e have indicated to the Torpedo Engineer ho
amount of the dissociation may be determined and all

Of all the things yet tried,' the use of oxyger
to offer the greatest promise, if the heat can be c<:
At the torpedo Station they described to me the troi
they had in attempting to use oxygen.- The most seri
tendency of the combustion flask to melt,' or of the
the flask to the turbine to melt.' They were unable
this by spraying in water,' because the water formed
in the spraying tubes or behaved like water on a re:
and allowed the metal to melt under it.-

It occurs to me that it might be possible to 1
flame temperature to the point where it could be hat
using a solution of water in the alcohol fuel. i.v i

PALMER PHYSICAL LABORATORY
PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

now used.-) This would amount to introducing a small amount of
water right into the flame in such a way that it would have to
evaporate,- and I should think that the flame temperature might
be reduced sufficiently to enable the rest of the heat to be
handled in the same manner as at present.'

There is the possible objection that the inflammibility
of the alcohol might be reduced, by the solution of this water,-
so that the flame might go out or the combustion might be incom¬
plete.' Does any reason occur to you which would lead you to
feel that experiments along this line would not be worth while?

I have written about this to the Torpedo Engineer also,- and
am thinking of making some tests as soon as I can get to it.

While in Newport I went through all their correspondence relative
to the use of compressed oxygen, and I. do not believe that this
method of partially controlling the temperature was suggested.-

Respectfully yours.

Naval Consulting Board
and Related Wartime Research Papers
Correspondence
June 1917

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iLiHcc,\.ojx. tli~ s^oanm mnDwu.*,

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR

Honorable Thomas J. Edison,
Menlo Park,

Hew Jersey.

Dear Sir:-

Personal & Important ,

Knowing of your remarkable work in favor of our
Country, and seeing lately some reference to your ideas as to the most
efficient ways to overcome the Kerman Submarine Peril, - it has occur¬
red to me that, aB, by the UBe of an immensely powerful magnet, it
would perhaps be possible to attract steel torpedoes to a steel vessel,
so there might be some force in nature that might be used to repel them,
or at least, cause them to so lose their orientation as to become harm¬
less: in other words, using first the idea of the magnet: as vessels
are equipped with guns, they could also be equipped with these powerful
magnets, which could be trailed in the water, in the danger zone, a
sufficient distance from the vessel to attract the torpedo to the mag¬
net, thus rendering the torpedo harmless.

If this is not practicable, or in case it is deemed better
not to use it, and the idea of the repellent force can be made avail¬
able, then this repellent force can be availed of, to either stop the
torpedo before it reaches the vessel, or deviate it, and in either of
these effects being brought about, thus rendering the torpedo harmless.

All this may be impracticable, and I trust in this event, you
will pardon me for occupying your valuable time, in view of the motive
that, as an American, inspires thiB letter.

With the highest respect,

Believe me,

Very truly yours,

i <&*»+> )h~- <£°LL^. - * , ($l0l/

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A. V-

Prof. E. 2. Compton,

'Priiic-oton University,

Princeton, H.J.-

Dear l!r. Compton:

I have received your vary
in taros tiny report of the 31st ultimo, end am
Rroetly pleased to soo how thoj onphly you have
r ono into this investigation .

In reply to your quo stio.:, lot no Bey
that ere liphts have been "used, ono'of which
was e hollow silver tube throuph which a rapid
stream of water circulated. Porheps the com¬
bustion chamber can bo nado thin onouph to adopt
this principle.

IfAmiL Co^smiiG Board

OF THE TOOTED SUITES

under"”"" OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

13 Park Row, NkwYouk

June 4, 1917.

H!o the members of the Haval Consulting Board:

Dear Sirs:

She Secretary of the Eavy has invited the members
of the English and French Scientific Commissions to meet the
members of our Board in the Library of the Eavy Department,
Washington, Saturday morning, June 9th at 11 o'clock, and it
is expected that the invitation will be accepted. Members
of the Rational Research Council have also been invited to
be present.

As the time on Saturday will be largely taken up
with this conference, it has been decided to hold the regular
meeting of the Board on Friday evening, June 8th, at the
Hotel Willard at 8.30. Phe Pennsylvania Railroad train
leaving Hew York at 1.08 P.li. Friday will land the members in
Washington in time to have dinner before the meeting.

United States Navy Yard,

<Xs'C’ l“~r i"

Wv

0 ■W’T

dear Hr. Edison: * ‘

'fe L<y-t,CL> ;i£-/
o-o pvi-o

i*'4 .2-

Mr. Wolf came over yesterday morning,
bringing in a searchlight shutter and lamp,
and this equipment was immediately turned over
to lieutenant" Libbey, who conducted tests on it
in the laboratory in the morning, and in the
\ afternoon tests out of doors were held.

^ I wish to express my thanks for your in¬

terest and work on this, as it seems to be a
.'great step in the right direction, and inasmuch
/as we cannot accept any equipment gratuitously
' we will have to say that we will accept this for
"test".

As Mr. Wolf has probably told you, we
have been working on more or less the same lines
ourselves, the only difference being our shut¬
ters are heavier and not electrically-operated.

We are taking this present shutter of
yours and adapting it to fit one of our lights
and probably will issue it to one. of the ships
of the fleet for experimental use to determine
any modifications that may be found necessary.

We are also trying, as Mr. Wolf probably
mentioned, a light shutter on the outside of the
lamp itself, which promises to be satisfactory.

I am afraid that very rapid signalling by this
method will never attain as high speed as by
sound on account of the tendency of the eye to
rush flashes together at high speed. I think
v/ith your shutter we will probably have reached
the limit of speed possible, unless we can make
some sort of shutter that will act more or lesB

like a quick return motion, that is, give us

success.

With best of wishes ,

Sincerely yours.

lir. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, Hew Jersey.

United States Navy Yard,

NEW YORK. N: Y.

JUN 5 191?

Uy dear Mr. Edison,

*>ere g ro^S%oiyo/?risredSe5

^^r-^BaUe.y'co.,

Orange, E.J.

for the nurnose intended.

<-» «. ^.snr*=S

Very truly yours,

liiomos A- Edison, ^
Orange ,

IT. J.

June 6, 191

Vislch Sons & Co.',

E9G Passaic Stroot,
I'cv.arh, 11. J.

I approciat-o vory much your kind offer
to loan mo one of tho compasses that you described
to iir. Chesler ovor the telephone. I ylndly accept
your offer, as I want to use the compass in oomo
Government osporiments that I am making, and bee
that you will ple.so accept mytthanks for tho accomo¬
dation. •

fours

very. truly.

Juno 6,- 1017.

Waltham Watch Company,

Waltham, Mass.

Attention tar. Conovor ii’ltch, Vico-Jros.:

Dear Sir:-

This is in reply to your lettors of Uay 23d. and
Hay 20th. Wo wish to thank you for the loan of tho 0-day
movement , and your kind offer of cooporatlon with uc. ivo
aro Bonding you a blue print of a rough layout of the scheme
r;e have in mind. You will noto that wo liavc mounted your
movement in a 'apodal cnco on the rear of which is a windowed
chamber through which tho relation of tho contact aim and
contact segments can bo observed . A rotatable drum of in¬
sulating matorial ia' mounted on a fixed stud attaci.od to tho
caao. x.hio drum ia driven by tho phonograph motor and mnhee
ono revolution per minuto. It carries two colloctor rings
through, which cloctrical connection ia obtained to .operate
tho epoed controlling relays: . Wo have shown the aocond
hand lengthened approximately .G of an inch on tho back of -
tho movonont and projecting through tho fixed stud. Its outer
ond carries a pointer about tho sawo longth as tho aocond hand
and affixed thoioto in tho same way as the second hand is
attached to the othor ond of the shaft. Shis pointer carries
a platinum-iridium ball contact at itc ond . and makes contact
with either of tho platinum contact sognonta mounted on the
insulating dial whenoverthe latter tends to go faster or
slower than the clock. 2ho so contacte scud .out corroctivc
impulses to the spoed controlling roluys and through suitable
governing moans bring the motor back in stop with the clock. •
The curront from tho relays is completed through tho clock
frame and soconrt hand shaft to tho pointer. We aro unsblo
to stnlo 'just how much pressure will bo required between tho ,
pointer contact end contact segments, but it ooeqs-that a very
light contact •.-.which will not interfere witii the clock operation
will bo sufficient;. , Wo expect to nso a current of .01 ampere
at 12 volts. You will noj;o that wo have made provision for
tho contact arm to wipe ovor the segments. this is for con¬
venience in starting - the' motor only as it .allows tho motor gov¬
ernor to bo adjusted until*, it. is "running in approximate syn¬
chronism with the clock.

-2,-

la tho running position- tho pointer will bo between the con¬
tact segments and the eorroctivo impulses will act on tlio governor
beforo any wiping tskos placo. Vie huvo shown no moans for .
holding tho movement in tho case, but tho latter can probably
bo modified to suit the movement when designing tho dotuils.

It will also bo nccesoar. to make tho distance from tho attach¬
ing base to tho movement long enough to pcarrait tho oasy insertion
and operation of the winding key, but as no I:ey was sent with the
movement, wo wore unable to dotermino this dimension. Tho
proximity of the vertical driving shaft to tho koyholo may also
noooesitato a special key.

Wo are submitting this scheme for your comnonts and
would bo glad to recoivo apy suggestions that you may bo able
to make. If tho schomo appears feasible, as shown, we would
like to have you alter two movements by longthoning tho shaft
us shown and send thorn to us ns soon as possible. This should
include dial glasses, bezels and keys and if you could send us
a standard caso^it might be' of somo assistance to us in design-
ing tho novouont holding nocne in the special case. Two of uhc
small bushings which are attachod to the second hand could also
bo used to advantage in securing tho contact pointer to tac shaft.
Wo will make up all parts except those abovo requested. If it
is not feasible to lengthen tho second hand shaft as much as
roouootod, it would probably be satisfactory to lengthen it enough
to ‘apply a coupling by which a pointer shaft could bo. .driven.

Wo assume that it will bo satisfactory to return tho
movement which you sent us when tho altered movements heroin
ordered havo been rocoivod as we may need to rofor to it during
tho nrogroos of this work.

bo would bo glad to hoar from you as soon as possible,
and thunk you for tho prompt attention given to our original
rotiuost.

Yours very truly.

Edison laboratory.

29NYC 24

TW WASHINGTON DC 840A JUNE8 17
THOMAS A EDISON

ORANGE NJ ;

WE ARE TO MEET FRENCH AND ENGLISH SC I ENT I ST S T OMORR OW OF
GREATEST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU BE PRESENT. WE EXPECT TO GET

much information of value

WL SAUNDERS - ,

955A. • iWVnOft VO U-L

TF.l*

, ^si.'OsmoiN —

WESTERN, UNION

Washington, ,D. C.

i fW • J / IAH3A. S

_ .

Jlx,\Jp)Vj n fe

. fe£JJ^b-:v\'L<L-'Ar4 .

M) 1

<^rAA_'.|v. - J-'-jJl/J fhoZ

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Wi l,i ,i a.m Gardner & Co..

Wdu E. Spenoer, Esq.,
#1 Park Place,

N. Y. City.

Yoi.iv. June 3nd, 1917,

Dear Sir:-

In connection with the charter arranged on "YANKEE III" - -
As it haB been found, after three weeks time, impossible to get
the boat in proper shape and motor in satisfactory running con¬
dition, we therefore confirm mutual understanding between you and

the Charterer's representative

lat - That the boat is to be returned to Abrams Yard,

Cold Spring Harbor, by the Charterer; also that

the expense of engine and clutoh repairs etc., )

exclusive of new clutoh, is to be borne by you. 1

Snd -

3rd -

4th -

That the Charterers are to allow you to retain
two weeks charter money.

Owing to the question of ascertaining definitely i

regarding the condition of the clutch at the time J

of taking the boat. Charterers have agreed to pay j

one-half of the actual^ expense in supplying and^ ^ ^

bil^for whihh is to be seoured as soon as passible i
in order that adjustment of the charter may be
concluded. ^ ^

It is also understood that you have cancelled the j

extra hazardous insurance arranged, and that \ t

Charterers will pay the extra premium charge for ^ ^
the time the insurance waB in force.

5th - The ooet of orewa' wages, subsistence, etc., will
be borne by the Charterers.

Considering the conditions which have, prevented fulfill¬
ment of the charter, it is agreeable to us, acting as Brokers in

the transaction, to waive any commission rights we have, upon

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

AV 1 I i I , I A\I GARDN IiH & Co¬

in. E. Spencer, Esq.
#3.

June 2nd, 1917.

payment of the usual brokerage commission on the amount of
the first payment made under the charter.

P .F.M. 1

Very truly yours,

►

x\

Y/altham Y/atch Qompany

Waltham. Mass.

Gentlemen:-

V/e have your letter of June Oth, and will proceed
to fit up two of our 6-Day movements for your apparatus. V'e pro¬
pose to mount a hollow stud on the movement plate to carry the
bearing next to your pointer socket. This will protect the long
and slender pinion shaft and be very much safer to handle. We
will make the length of this stud 1/A size or your drawing, and
propose to make the outside diameter of the stud 0.16 inch.

We are sending you, under separate cover, one
Model X Case. This is designed for automobile use and may not
be suitable for your apparatus, but you may be able to substitute
a flat cover with a container for your contact device in place
of the screw back on this case. Our movements would be fitted
with dials and hands of proper dimensions for this case.

Yours very truly,

WALTHAM WATCH COMPANY,

Eoar Adair:;! C. 33. Eure,

U. S. Uavy Industrial .'lanagor,
United Staton liavy Yard ,
IIOV7 York, li.Y.

iiy dear Adair;;.!.:

I received your favor of the
5th instant asc thank you for writing mo- so
promptly about the searchlight shutter and
lamp. I an rite! to loam that you thinl: well
of the dcrico . It belonrr. to our friond
Secretary Daniels, as his laboratory fluid paid
for it-

I forgot to dtotograph tho dovico
for my f ilo . Will 'you not please .snap it
and send no a print?

With kindest rorards, I remain.
Yours einccroly.

A/D344

"J et^t^JLxS^Vut xl

“ctg few

£<l£#

Scr t /•e'tt i

CLo-u^-c. <*-o-&t

0 ft^t_^/Ze. frLci^p. ka^

cuX^ vf6* “i^>«tfX” ^ ^

-C^

(L.CJ'uXec

lllT fcCc^oyj :

. .. . ^ Ccox/ij

Ciu'b -^U, cj.c-1, *»V ■ /o-ctifyl c^cffiL

. ?)V' <£&lC,u<. _ c^L- -/Cc. ?Y&i-/-&i-n <£ie/>x.’c

€o _ _ _ ; _ _ _

_ -dc^icC _ /?tcy _ IMslC*. _ V-CA,ty

_ nidim*/- _ o-£ _ imxs vuj. ^-uU . Xv-t£C. &

^ e«.<Ag- _ ....^er* _ t

Oy _ /'<vie.c. _ ctcny.4 t . yo-tt- .

. UU . .ftirti . ^r.o . AO A tt-e it c*~

_ y&tL. <2tt.u , . . /■u .,. t-LMLCt i«y,tc _ /<Sw» . even, uy

_ : _ _ _ _ teCtrtebt.VCA-f&t

feT

.CANADIAN SCHOOL OF
- " i uL'IPHONY AND
SIGNALLING.

1 3JUH.1917.

FILE l.o . .

Brigade Signalling School,

Seaford, Sussex, Eng.,
June 13, 1917.

Thoa. Edison, Esq.,

Menlo Park, N. J.

My dear Mr. Edison:-^ ^ find tirae t0 give a little •

1898 - '99.

During ray experience X think there is a iot^of^r 00.^^

in the methods now being used with signal lig - they1 now use

the question entirely at the front a*}^ troons have a 1 amp which seems
seem to be very unsatisfactory. The French froopsjaave ^

to °"ivfci ths best satisfaction as it c~n .« qp kev on©

I? : 1. i«p . *»* *«* /«• ’LSiKrSedSu't,

the Navy also. rthf t™st% will pardon this suggestion on ray
S?T?”.? SnSd»f iow..er, tj.t » lnmrtton of ttl. tana «o»M
b e of untold value to the Allied armies.

Very respectfully yours,

No 207125, , / Oa y —

Sergt. ' fycuiA^^ A%CA/Cr\.f

Iavm, Coisuoung Board

Ol’ THE UNITED STATUS

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

vrrRow, NewYork

To .the members of the ITay4l Consulting Board:

Dear Sirs:

At the requesLdf ciptain Smith I write to ask you to for¬
ward him as soon as possible >11 claims for expenses up to and
including the last meeting oflthe Board, these .claims to be in if
possible before June 20.- If/ any/expenses are being
Smith requests that you. send/ hift besides your claim for past expense
^statement as to the probatb/amoimt that will be asked for before
June 30. In case any members have no expenses or claims to be put
in, a statement to that effect is desired by him.

It is absolutely essential that Captain Smith receive the
above information at the ealiest moment, noTl,^1^05aj2n^ all

incurred out -of this year s appropriation after June 30, and all
orders for anything at all must get in before that date.

For your information I would state that ae aef'^ ”f
the Board a! a whole held since Aug. 29, 1916, the date , when the
Board was. legalized, are as follows:

At the Library of theHavy Department,
Washington, D. C. . „

At the Engineering Societies Building,

Hen York City,

At the Engineering Societies Building,

Hew York City. . _ ,

At the Engineering Societies Building,

Hew York City.-

At. the Engineering Societies Building,
At^the^Engineering Societies Building, .

AtethI°Uunseyy Building, Washington, D.C.

At the Library of the kavy Department,

At^the *of f ice s°of Cthe Haval Consulting Board,
• Havy Annex, Washington, D. C.

At the Hotel Hew Willard, Washington, D,C,

In addition to the above general meetingsoftheEoard,
there have been many conferences and meetings of committees, etc.,
of which it is impossible to give a l^t ^ uhis le .

Dec.

9. ■

1916

Jan.

13,

1917

Feb,

10,

. 1917

. 1917

Acr.

14.

. 1917

Apr.

28

■ 1917

Hay 12,

1917 •

Hay

26,

1917

June

_3u_

1917

Secretary.

Urs. Isabol Howits,

Fredonsborg, Denmark.

Dour ISidara:

Your favor of Uay it to nr. Ediso.n
has been rocoivod, and I wish to oppress to you
his appreciation of your kindness in making tho
throo suggestions which accompanied your letter.

For sometime past, a groat xaany experi¬
menters have boon working on tho cane idea as is
contained in your first suggestion.

In regard to. .your second suggestion, lot
mo say that this was carried into practical ef "oct
ovor a year ago, but was met with counter devices,
such as an afr-blaot for blowing away the film
from tho jporiscopo glass.

Your third suggestion in rogard \o search
light has also beon concidorod by many invostigator
but thoro.are disadvantages which have militated
againo tilts use. .

Yours vory truly.

Assistant to Kr. Edison.

Apparatus supplied to Mr. S. A. Edison M-37607

Western Electric Company,

NEW YORK

June 16 , 1917.

E.O.Soriven-0

HR. W. H. MEADOW CROFT ,

Thomas A. Edison, Ino.

Lakeside Avenue ,

West Orange, W.J.

Dear Sir:-

The following is a list of the apparatus which we -
have furnished during the past few days in connection with the
experiments on vacuum tube amplifiers which Mr. Soriven has
heen carrying on with Ur. Edison's representatives.

Shipped by messengers 6/12/17 -

6 - #2638 Frenkel test clips
6 - Pounds rosin core solder <£/'

10 - Jack mountings
6 - #218 jacks ^

4 - #160 jacks 1 *

1 - Cord with #110 plug attaohed ^

1 - Cord with #47 plug attaohed 4-"

1 - Special #43-A coil l—

1 - #43-A coil _ _ _

6 - #703 batteries
44 - #2l-D condensers ^

6 - #21- AH oondenBerB
3 - #101-A repeater sooketB ^ yS'

3 - #2110 Rheostats (4 ohms).

□ #i_w resistances (2000 ohms)

12 - Special lavite resistances (12000 ohms)*""^
p _ d.p.d.T. Knife Switches _ ,

72 - #38-A lavit.e resistances mounted on 8 mioarta

1 - 600°000 ohm potentiometers^

Shipped by messenger 6/14/17
21 - #21-AA condensers
Carried by Mr. Soriven 6/14/17

4

9

^eo4a2-ira<rmiia-tuba-.#l_4728
#101-A repeater BocketB
Special high resistances

Che special vacuum tube #14738 did not prove to be
adapted to the conditions and waB brought back by Mr. Soriven.

Yours truly,

F-A.

Chief Engineer.

JOSEPH 8 MCCALL

Joseph P Guffey

National Committee

ON

Gas and Electric Service

OFFICES

MUNSEY BUILDING
WASHINGTON D C

Office of Chairman
124 East 15th Street
Hew York

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,

Llewellyn Park,

Orange, K. J.

L'y dear Mr. Edison:

I have pleasure in transmitting herewith, for
your information, a copy of a statement regarding the
organization and activities of the National Committee on
Gas and Electric Service, an Advisory Committee to the
Advisory Commission of the Council of National Defense.

(Enclosure)

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Somo months ago tho Committee of the American Gas
Institute to Co-oporate with the Government in regard to the
Military Woods of tho Nation and tho Committee of the National
Electric Light Association on War Conditions, at a joint con¬
ference hold in New York City, decided to organize a National
Committee which would secure to tho United Statos Government
the most offoctivo co-operation in the conduct of the war
from the gas and electric light and power industries. The
National Committee on Ga3 and Electric Service was thereupon
organized with a membership of ropresontative men from these
two industries and tho rolatod Natural Gas Industry. Tho
Committoe, as constituted, is as follows:

Walter R Addicks Vico Prosident

Consolidated Gas Co of New York

Now York N Y

Philip P Barton Vico Prosidont
Niagara Palls Powor Company

John A Britton Vice Prosidont

Pacific Gao and Electric Company

Niagara Falls N Y
San Francisco Cal

Alox Dot/ Prosidont

Detroit Edison Company

A E Forstall Prosidont

American Gas Institute

Joseph F Guffoy Prosidont

Natural Gas Association of Amonca

Dotroit Michigan
Boston Mass
New York N Y
Pittsburgh Pa

Samuel Insull President

Commonwoalth Edison Company

Chicago Illinois

D C Jackson Prof of Electrical Engineering
Massachusetts Instituto of Technology

Boston Mass

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Joseph B McCall President

Tho Philadelphia Eloctric Company

Capt William. E McKay Vico President
New England Gas and Coke Company

Herbert A Wagner Prosidont

Consolidated Gas Electric Lt & Pr Co

Philadelphia Pa
Boston Mass
Baltimore Md

S S Wyor Consulting Engineer
Natural Gas Industry

Columbus Ohio

John W Li ob Vico Prosidont

Tho Now York Edison Company
(Chairman of Committee)

New York N Y

William Ii Gartlev Vico Prosidont , „ , . _

Equitable Illg Gas Lt Co of Philadelphia Philadelphia Pa
(Vice Chairman of Committee)

^°?Sccre tary1 of ‘commit tso) Wo.M„stoo ».

The Committoo is recognized by the Advisory Com¬
mission of tho Council of National Defense as ono of its Ad-
vioory Committoos, and it has established an official head¬
quarters in the Munsoy Building, Washington, D. C., where it
has placod itsolf at tho service of tho Government for any
assistance it may be able to render in behalf of the public
utility industries it represents. It is prepared to act as a
vehiclo of communication botwoon tho various instrumentalities
organized by tho Government for the conduct of tho war and tho
gas companies producing and distributing artificial and
natural gas and tho eloctric light and powor companies fur¬
nishing olectric sorvioe, in all matters rolating to the
National Defense. It proposes to promptly placo at tho dis¬
posal of tho Government any data or information which it may

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

5.

roquiro as to tho facilities in men or sorvioo which they may
have available), onsuro tho continuous operation of their
plants so as to enable tho munition plants, navy yards and
manufacturing establishments, through continuous and unin¬
terrupted service, to maintain tholr maximum output, and it
will ondoavor to provide tho Govornmont with tho neoossary
quantity of tho ossential by-products they can make availablo
for tho production of high oxplosivos and of ammunition.

Ono of tho most ossential requirements in tho co¬
ordination of tho industrial resources of tho country for tho
successful conduct of the war is to provide a regular and ade¬
quate supply of fuel to tho important utilities engaged in
enterprises through which they rendor service to the Govern¬
ment and to the public. To facilitate solving tho many prob¬
lems affecting tho continuous supply of fuol to operate their
plants, tho National Coal Board ha9 boon ploasod to appoint
hr. Goorgo W. Elliott, Socrotary of tho Committee, to member¬
ship on tho Coal Committoo. A questionnaire is now being pre¬
pared which will, within tho next fow days, be forwarded to
ovory gas and olootrio light and power company .in tho country,
asking thorn to sond a statomont of tho various kinds and
quantitios of fuol oach usos por annum for its various pur¬
poses, tho wator or rail connections over which thoy are re¬
ceived, together with a monthly statoment of fuol contracted
for, received and consumed. This will onablo tho Committoo to
givo prompt information to tho authorities of fuel shortage in

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

any particular locality, with the transportation linos in¬
volved, loading and unloading dela.ys, car shortages, routing
and trans-shipmont difficulties, otc.

The Coramittoe has been in consultation with the au¬
thorities on mattors affecting tho service which the employees
of tho Companies may render to tho Government and in rogard to
various questions connoctod with selective registration, con¬
scription exemptions and provision for the dependents of em¬
ployees who may be called upon to rondor military service.

Tho furnishing of ’.heat, light and power service to the troop
cantonments for tho mobilization of tho military forces loca¬
ted in difforont parts of tho country is now being considered
and information is being collected as to how these agencies
may be made available to the camps in the shortest possible
time from the nearest points of supply.'

It is believed that this National Committee on Gas
and Electric Service can be of great assistance to the Govern¬
ment in these several directions and that it will oover a
broad field of useful and patriotic servioe, bringing to bear
on the successful conduct of the war, from the standpoint of
efficient industrial mobilization, the vast resources of-men
and facilities which the utility companies of the country have
at their command and through which they are now efficiently
serving the public and which they desire to make available to
the Nation to the greatest practicable extent.

Western Etectr/c Company .

*03 WEST STREET

NEW YORK

June 19, 1917.

MR. THOMAS A. EDISON,

Thomas A. Edison, incorporated.

West Orange, New Jersey,
liy dear Mr . Edison;

This is to confirm my telephone conversation with
Mr. Meadoworoft relative to special vacuum tube amplifiers
constructed in a manner to reduce to a minimum the effect of
any possible mechanical vibration.

As I explained to nr. Meadoworoft, we will have to
make up these tubeB specially and I am not at all sure how
successfully they will accomplish the results which you deBire.
The tubes which you are working with have such enormous ampli¬
fying power b that the problem of so arranging the internal
structure as to completely eliminate all chance of difficulty
due to mechanical vibration is more serious than it would be
if the tubes were less efficient. As soon as we have any
models of the new tubes ready I will see that they are sent
out to you for trial. As I told Mr. Meadoworoft, it will
probably take us three or four days to accomplish this work.

yours very truly,

EBJ-GR

Chief Engineer.

Juno EO-,1917

Ur. J. H. Hob, Chairman,

national Committeo on Gen & Electric Corvico,"

124 Sant ICth Stroot.^

Dots York, II .Y.

"y dear Hr. J,ieb:

Ilf... Edition in still awfully busy
on his Government work, but ho broke off und tool:
tho timo' to road your favor of tho 19th instant and
the stntomeut regarding tho organisation and activities
of the' national Coramittoe on Gas and Electric Service,
an Advisory Committeo to the Advisory Commission of
the Council of national Dofonso. Ho was very much
intci'ostod and thinks it will bo a groat thing for
tho Country.

X suppose you > don't mind if I express my-
' solf as coinciding with, his opinion.

Yours vory truly.

Assistant to Mr. Edison..

A/3439.

Juno 20,1017.

Waltham batch Co.,

Waltham, Hass.

Attention: lir. Olof Ohlson. tloch. Bupt.

Gentlemen:

Your latter of Juno 9th was dolayod in
being brought to tho writer1 a attention. Wo than!:
you for s ending tho i.'odol K caso. Wo are planning
to make a special case suitable for our apparatus
and tho sample son! us has boon of considerable
assistance to us in designing..

y/c agroc with you that mounting tho hollow-
stud on tho movoment plato is miich hotter construc¬
tion and wo aro designing our apparatus in accord¬
ance with the construction and dimension; outlined
in your letter undor reply. Y.p assume from your
doscrintion that you aro racking this stud .16" diameter
for its entire length. If so, it will bo nocoscary
to provide some moans for locating tho bovol-, gear
uzially on tho stud , but wo can take care of that
by sliming on a bushing of tho right length to prop-
orly locate the gear. On tho other hand, if you
aro making tho stud with a thrust flnngo or shoulder,
us- shown on our sketch, it .will also bo satisfactory
providing this flange is located in accordance with
bur drawing. Wo also prosumo that in oithor caBO •
you will thread the outer ond of tho stud -for a short
distance so that wo can put on a retaining nut.

In caso you arc .not reudy to send tho move¬
ments, wo would bo glad, to hvo you advise us as to
those points in' order that, wo may proceed to got out
the associated carts.

Your spbndid cooperation in this work is
greatly appreciated by us and will.be glad to hoar from
you shortly. In roplying would ask that you kindly

mark reply for the 'writer's' attention.

Yours very truly.

Ur. Bruco E. Silver,

396 Harvard Street,

Cambrid co, llass.

Dear Sir:-

Your tolocrara has-been roedivod. I am
sorry that our lottor was dclayod, but no horn has
been done.

Hr. Edison says you nay cone on as soon
as- you like. He will bo ready to put you to work.

Possibly you nay not know how to cot out
horo, so I will toll you. Yoke the Lnck&wanna
Euilroaa from Ilew York. You can loavo Hoy; York by
.oithor C3d Stroot, Christopher or. Barclay Stroot
forrios , or you nay- go to any of the Hudson t'unnol
stations in How York and tako a train for Hoboken,
which will loave you at the . Lackawanna station. Get
off the Lackawanna train at Orange , walk a block up
to the main stroot and tako a trolloy for best Oranco
which will bring you ripht to the door. Iho Labora¬
tory is a brick buildinr surroundod by a wire fonce.
Chore is a Gato-houso and if you ploaco inquire there
for me, I will attend to tho rest.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to iir. Edison.

Juno £1,1017

Ur. Eduard E. Vilntera,

15 Broad ! troot.

How York, il.Y. '

Dear Ur. V, into re:

v I on oneloeing i jc. Ed Icon’s
.letter recommending your a- r, ointment as ;;a^or
in the i.ccorvo Corps. Ho refused to sign tho
duplicate copy, saying that ho hod novel- boon
coked to do ouch a thing boforo and ho did not
soo any reason for.it. I era: simply reporting
to you what took plaeo.

Yours very truly,

‘ nos io tent to Mr. Edison.

A/3454,

Travail Cwsuiwg Board

or THE VK1TE1) STATES

11 Broadway New York

Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
President,

Naval Consulting Board,
Orange, N.J.

Dear Mr.Edison:-

Enclosed herewith please find a copy of a letter
from General Goethals, attached to which is a report of a special
committee appointed some time ago to study the question of pro¬
tection of merchant vessels from being sunk by submarine attack.

The Naval Consulting Board has been studying and
experimenting upon the submarine problem from many angles. The
question of proteoting the ship itself is a problem distinct from
all others and the one of greatest importanoe.

In order to get concentrated work and quick
action I have been oooperating with General Goethals, through
a small, special committee, in which the Naval Consulting Board
is represented by Mr. Hunt,- the other members of the committee
being Admiral Rousseau and William T. Donnelly, engineer and
marine architect, an expert on flotation.

This oommittee has eliminated, after a study,
the various devices known as nets, pontoons, blisters, eto.,
beoause of the interference in the speed of the ship, which is
of the greatest importanoe, and beoause of dangers involved in
rouoh seas and interference with docking. A further, and very
important consideration, is that the mobility of the ship'..should not
be disturbed.

You will note that there are six items in this
report, making speoifio reoommendations. All but Item No. 6 are
of a seoondary importanoe, being in the nature of proteotive safe¬
guards. Item No. 6 offers a praotioal solution of the question
of keeping a ship afloat after being torpedoed.

A ship loaded with lumber oannot be sunk through
torpedo action. It will become water-logged.

The proposition is to fill up the unused air
spaoes below the deoks and within the hold of a ship by small
wooden water-tight containers and to so load a ship that there

Thos.A.Edison,Esq.,-2.

will not be space enough for water to replace lighter material
even though the ship be water-logged.

This renort is in the hands of the merchant shipping
people in New York and we are now figuring on the oost of an
equipment for a ship of about 10,000 tons capacity,

X have personally presented this report to President
Wilson and to several members of the Cabinet, it being_ our
intention to reduce insurance rates in proportion as tnese
protective devices are applied.

Yours truly,
v'

Eno. letter & report.'
Mail Blue print.^

Juno 22,1917.

t!r . I. Saunders,

11 Broadway,

'Bew York, XI. Y.' _ • _

Dear nr. Saandors j

I havo received your favor of tho
21at instant, togothor with copy of a lottor from
Gonoral Ooothala and a roport of tho Gpecl&l .coranittoc
on tho question of protection of merchant vessels
from boing cunt by Submarino attack. - "ho bluo print
also came to hand.

I havo road -all of this with a groat Goal
of ihtorost and I thinl: it is a good thing and quite
practical-. •

.Yours voi’y truly, ^

A/34C9.

Juno £2,1917

Ur. tV. B. Bhorrord,

Chief Eneinoor,

Ilowark i.'ator Cupply,

Itowark', 11. J.

Pour Sir:- * . ' ■

Ab you are probably nw.ro , I an conduct¬
ing a eorioo of special oxporimontc for tho Govern¬
ment, and. in carrying out one of thoso experiments
it in necessary to have temporary uco of a body of
wrier that is isolated from general observation by
tho public. Echo toko would bo an ideal spot for
this oxperimont..

fhis letter will introduco to you one of
my assistants. Hr. William II. knioi’itn, who will ox-^
plain tho matter to you, “and. you v.ill seo from his
explanation that thoro will bo nothing to cause any
pollution of the viator .nor any disturbance of your
water .supply conditions.

I trust you will kindly lot mo have tho
necessary pormit.

Yours very truly,

n

-B’.C.'PITCH.Pres

Waltham ^/atch Qompany

OFFICES

«THEsrirE street Waltham, Mass.

June 2.3 , 1917.

Thomas A. Edison Laboratory,

Orange, N.J.

Gentlemen :-

Please rind enclosed blue print of eleva¬
tion drawing of the 4th wheel and pinion such as we are
making in the two special 8-Day watches which we are fit¬
ting up for you. We had in mind that you would mount your
contact device on a hollow stud or sleeve, as shown on
your drawing, and that the stud which we mount on the move¬
ment plate should fit Treely inside your sleeve without
any special retaining device; however, if you find it
desirable to make some alteration in this connection we
should be very pleased to do so if you will send us a
sketch illustrating your idea.

Yours very truly,

WALTHAM WATCH CO.,

Mechanical Supt.

iife “MSP '

■ j V. v ■ - -V;:; ■

y- . . ■ . . .

\VALTHAM Y^/aTCH fOMHANY

Chamber of Commerce
PATEnsoN. New Jersey

OF INDUSTRIES

June 23, 1917.

Mr. \7. H. Meadoweroft ,

Edison laboratory.

Orange, IT. J.

Dear Sir:

Since v/e, as an organization, do
not like to, as the present idiom would
say, "start anything we can't finish", I
am writing to ask if you were successful
in having cocoons reeled as per your visit
here some time ago. In the event you have
not, X shall be glad to go further into
the matter with you.

Very truly yours,

Industrial Commissioner.

17

Juno 25, 1017.

Waltham Watch Co.,

Ualthnn, ].!aos.

Gentlemen: Attention iir. Olof Ohlao:., iloch.Suut.

Your letter of Juno 23a hec < boon received.
Tho construction shown on the blue print enclosed
with. your lotter under reply is satisfactory and
to agree with your int*bntion regarding tho mounting
of tho contact deviep. wo uili attach to tho oaeo
a sleovo to 'carry tho contact devico and into which
tho stud' mounted or. yotir movement plate will frooly
fit. Chic, wo bolitr/5 , will clear up all tho points
in question and wo will ho glad to roeoivc tho ttiovg-
i.ionts as soon as conpiotod.

Youra very truly,
liaison laboratory ,

Ur. AT V. D. rinydor.

Industrial Goramiso.ionor,

Chamber of Comnorce,

Paterson, XI. J.

Doar Jjr. onydor :

The coartocy .of your fuvor of
tho 23d inctant Is nuch-'approeiatod. I regret
to say that vo wono not successful in having tho
cocoons roolod, but Hr, . Edison found a nay out
of tho difficulty arid hue boon able to draw up
single fibres in such a way cc to 'satisfy hie
roquifononts. Ho wichoo rso to thanh you for
• your intcroD.t and also -to say that ho appreciates -
tho courtesies o::tondod to no oa ny rcc on t visit
to Putorson. ,

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Hr. iidison.

a/;:4G4.

Juno £C, 1017

United CtatoG lighthouse Dopnrtnont,

'I'orapl- inc v i.1 1 o , S. I., lieu York.

Gentlemen :

I am sending heron ith by tuo of my
non, the lighthouse lone which you loaned mo
Gomotino ago for ueo in my d;;poriaonts for the
Government-. I shall bo obliged if you will kindly
give rag itaeuongcru a receipt to hoop in ray files.

Yourc Tory truly.

.‘i/lklGo .

[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]

Department of Commerce

LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE

RECEIPT

, A

L \J^

P'

June 25, 1917.

RECEIVED from Naval Consulting Board of the United
States, one 375 mm buoy lens, fitted with handles.

Prom laboratory of Thomas •‘‘••Edison.

RECEIVED

June 25,1917.

.

General storekeeper .L.H.s7

^ j~ /

MEMORANDUM OF SHIPMENT

U. S. Naval Ammunition Depot

IONA ISLAND, N. Y.

June 25, _ -J91 7.

TO: Edison laboratory.

East Orange, Hew Jersey.

The following material has this day been shipped via - national Express, prepaid,

t0 address above _ in accordance with Bureau of Ordnance tele-

1 - orate containing:

1 - 1-pdr. saluting chest containing:

50 - 1-pdr. Cartridges, blank, cannon powder
charge .

Gross Weight.
In car No -

I am In receipt of your favor of the 26th this morning. I
was not here at my offioe yesterday, andourfolkshereheld over
your letter for me this morning, since it was direotea to me per
sonally.

jjr. Maadoworoft, it would he entirely useless for me to send
one ofour oatalogues and price listB and discount sheets at pres¬
ent, for the reason that all prioes have been withdrawn. This was
found necessary in these times where prioes have advanced and are
changing daily* in all commercial metals. I want to say to you,
hoover that we can make for Mr. Edison any Bize tube in Steel
•from sav 4" outside diameter, with most any thickness of walls, on
rtnnm to a tube not much biggor than a human hair, so you will ®®®
that we oan supply Mr. Edison with most anything in Steel Tubes.

Jn lCiX Tubes* “ mike from say 2" outside diameter, on down
to the little bitB of fellows*

I think under present conditions, sinoe we cannot sj^e you
one of our oatalogues. Which would be worth anything whatever to
you that you Just tell us from time to time what you want tell-
ing’us the outside diameter, the thickness of wallsandthe
Quantity wanted and you dan feel sure we will use our best an
deavorB in your behalf. I need hardly tell you that we are over¬
whelmed with orderB and contracts for the TJ. 3. Governmen
great many other customers. We are running our works all day and
all night and have been doing this thing for perhapB

Wo are not aoo spring any or&orB wliatiQVor from now found
friends^muoh as we would like^o do so, the fact of the matter is
we are rejecting orders in every mail, our first thought is for •
our own government, then our old friends who have Btood by uafor
mianyyearB.We sell every plant, we think, of the General Electric

Jlr. Meadoworoft

Company and I believe all branohes, that originally came through
Mr. Edison’s inventions. I simply mention these faots so as you
will know our condition, I want you to tell Mr. Edison that J-J
will he a great pleasure for me at any time, to help him out with
whatever he may require in Seamless Tubes. Even if he wants a
.m.n quantity to try, I will make that for him, in other words,
tell him to consider these works, so to speak, his own shop, so
that he shall call on us to help him in any way in our power. We
will drop other work to do this for him and give him quiok serv¬
ice. In suoh matters, perhaps you had better write to me person¬
ally, so that I oan push it through our works.

In the spirit of helpfulness, believe me to be,

Slnoerely yours,

Stenog.#3.

BI.LWOOD IVIHS/ TUBE WORKS.

An. H. Meadoworoft, Asst, to Mr. Edison,
laboratory of Thomas A.. Edison,

Orange, H. J.

Henry L.Doherty & Company

Dictated, June 27th, 1917.
Translated, June 28th, 1917.

Mr. Thomas A. Edison,

Llewellyn Park, N. J.

Dear Mr. Edison:

The war has plunged me into so many business prob¬
lems that X fear X will find little time for public work.

I son devoting myself primarily to the relieving of
the fuel supply by increasing our oil and natural gas production
and finding means of getting it to the market. Between jobs, and
while on the trains, I find some time to think of the big problems,
but often do not know how to set these thoughts in motion.

As you can imagine, my contributions would be rather
scattered in character, as my life’s work has been devoted to so
many different lines. I therefore will probably have to put my
thoughts in motion largely through other people.

You are the last man I would have expected to
bother, because I feel that every second of your time is valuable,
and, in common with many other people, I am hoping that you will
accomplish wonderful things— and if I were a praying man I would
be praying for more power to you.

It seems to me that our effectiveness in this war
must depend almost entirely on new methods. We cannot hope in a
few months to train our men to a military efficiency equal to those
who have been trained for a lifetime — and it did not occur to me
until the other day that possibly new methods, unless kept secret,
might prove of more value to our enemies than to ourselves, which
I will attempt to illustrate by an example I will give you later.

Page 2 to Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

I have heen convinced for some time that the best oppor¬
tunity for ub to effectively contribute our share in this war was
by teaching ourselves and our allies the value of what I might
term to be "dollar efficiency".

The weakness of nearly all of the European work is the
utter disregard of "dollar efficiency", or Thompson's Rule. If an
Englishman builds anything he wants to make it last forever, when
by the use of cheaper materials the saving on first cost would
build a new structure every few years. The German sneers at the
low wheat production in our American fields, and yet an attempt to
bring our production to the Bame yield of wheat per acre would mean
higher priced wheat.

American business men seem to know instinctively the
value of "dollar efficiency". All government work, both here and
abroad, seems to disregard this. Government engineers insist on
a thoroughness and refinements which brings an unnecessary cost.

I know to talk about "dollar efficiency" would be offen¬
sive to a great many people. The foreign governments have already
learned this lesson somewhat, when it has been forcibly brought
home to them that unnecessary refinements curtail the total pro¬
ductiveness of a group of men.

In trying to give you an example of what I term "dollar
efficiency" and also the danger of Yankee ingenuity proving more
valuable to the Germans than to ourselves, I will have to give you
as an illustration one of my latest ideas, and one that is not yet
even in a "half baked" state; but I do this because I do not think
any time should be lost in pointing out the danger we are in if we
should show Germany how to solve some problem which otherwise may

Page 3 to Mr. Thomas A. Edison.

he a crucial factor in resolving the war against Germany at an
early date.

Perhaps you will understand my position heBt if I tell
you enough so you will he led up to this same thought in the same
way that I have heen.

We have known for several years that we could materially
increase our production of benzol and toluol in our gas making pro¬
cesses hy using a different form of apparatus. If I had thought
that the high prices for henzol and toluol would have heen main¬
tained for such a long period of time I would have gone in at once
for an increase in these products.

Several years ago when the scarcity of gasoline commenc¬
ed to he alarming I called to the attention of the Petrol Commit¬
tee of the British Automobile Association that Great Britain could
secure a complete supply of motor fuel hy simply scrubbing henzol
from the gas supplied for town uses. I also called attention to
the fact that this product was no longer needed in town gas, as
not more than one foot out of every thousand sent out could advan¬
tageously he used in open flame burners, and the gaB would he just
as valuable on a B.T.U. measurement for all other purposes than
open flame lighting whether it contained illuminants or not.

In thiB country we have an unlimited supply of toluol
and henzol hy simply taking it out of town gas, where it iB not
needed, and sending it to our explosive factories, where it is
needed.

I have just returned from a trip to several citieB, and
until last night had not slept in anything hut a Pullman berth for
a good many nights— and I get more time to think on the train than
at any other time.

Page 4 to Mr. Thomas A. Edison.

Just before leaving New York our men had urged me to
allow them to go ahead with the gas making processes which would
yield more benzol and toluol. I was wondering whether I Bhould
not again make a strenuous effort to induce our Government to see
the folly of wastefully using the benzol and toluol which now is
supplied with our town gas, and which amounts to about 2-J- gallons
per ton of coal carbonized.

I then turned my thoughts to the question of whether
some cheaper substitute could not be found for these compounds in
the manufacture of explosives, or whether some new and different
explosive could not be made which would be along my idea of "dollar
efficiency".

I thought of a number of things which, so far as I know,
are novel, but none of them struck me as being revolutionary except
the fact that on the face of it it looks as though we could sub¬
stitute two-thirds of an ounce of water and three-quarters of a
kilowatt of electricity for a pound of explosive having a value
equivalent to that of dynamite. This struck me as a real step in
"dollar efficiency".

The shells could be manufactured and shipped practically
to the trenches in a non-explosive form, and at some point near to
where the shells were to be used a shot of electricity would be
given to the shell and it would immediately be galvanized into ef¬
fective life.

Let us assume that we would make a shell as we do now,
except the container for the explosive would be made gas-tight and
the walls strong enough to withstand a high pressure. In this
container we would put a small amount of water, with a suitable
salt to make it easy to decompose it by an electric current. The

Page 5 to Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

shell would be made with electric conductors carried to the in¬
terior and by electrolysis we would change the water into hydrogen
and oxygen.

I assume that electrolytic decomposition would go on as
readily under the pressure of the gas built up in the container as
if the gaB were given off at atmospheric pressure. The external
work done by the evolution of the gas would be the same regardless
of the pressure at which it was produced, as the pressure times the
volume would be a constant.

I assume that the rapidity of combustion would increase
with some function of the pressure, and that the higher the pres¬
sure within the shell the more rapidly would the explosion take
place. I am also assuming that the difference between combustion
and explosion can be measured in degree by dividing the heat

energy by the time required for complete combustion.

Assuming that the lawB of Charles, Marriotte and Boyle
hold good at any temperatures and pressures, then the final pres¬
sure will be a multiple of the initial pressure times the heat
after correction for change in molecular density. „
energyA For instance, if the initial pressure was 2,000 lbB. to

the square inch the final pressure would be 43,000 lbs. to the
square inch, if the container were Btrong enough to Btand this
pressure without rupture and give more space for the gas to expand
into.

It looks to me as thought this sort of an explosive
would not be suitable for gun work as it would produce too high
an initial pressure in relation to the mean effective pressure. I
do not know how to speak of this except in terms of thermodynamics,
and I suppose what would be wanted in an explosive for projectiles

Page 6 to Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

would he an explosive giving the highest mean effective pressure
rather than a high initial preBBure. However, for explosive
shells it seems to me we want the character of explosive that
would be produoed by these gaBes,

I cannot help but feel that our most effective contribu¬
tion to this war would be to use the maximum in our men, money
and shop materials in producing and maintaining air-crafts. In
other words, I want to form a partnership with gravity.

I want to see our men suffer as little daily hardship
as possible, and I feel it is more humane that a few men should
be killed outright than many men mained for life.

With the genius we have for cheap production when turn¬
ed out in large quantities and ability to organize our shops, I
believe air-crafts could be turned out almost as cheap as Ford
motor cars. I also believe we could get five men to enliBt for
air work for every one that we could get to enlist for trench

A projectile for a gun is necessarily an expensive thing.
It must be made of high grade materials, elaborate machinery must
be used for its machining, it iB slow and expensive to produce,
and expensive, dangerous and difficult to transport.

The National Tube Company, without changing its present
method of manufacture, can turn us out cylindrical pipe for ubo in
the transportation of natural gas which will stand a working
strain of at least 20,000 lbs. With an oxy-acetylene torch these
pipes can be made up into explosive bombs at a cost of at least
one-tenth the cost of gun projectiles.

A 6 in. pipe with 1/4 in walls would stand an initial
pressure of 5,000 lbs. to the square inch, and the explosion pres-

Page 7 to Ur. Thomas A. Edison,

sure would try to rise to a pressure of 110,000 lbs. to the
square inch. Such a bomb would carry the equivalent of 450 cu.
ft. of hydrogen and oxygen in combining proportions and would
have an energy value equivalent to 40 lbs. of dynamite. The bomb
would weigh a little over 100 lbs., and I should think an aero¬
plane could carry a number of them,

I assume that if the real value of an explosive iB the
dividend of heat energy divided by the time required to complete
the combustion, that such a bomb would have an explosive value
equivalent to 200 or 300 lbB. of dynamite.

X have no authority for this assumption other than the
belief that the law of difusion of gases would bring such an in¬
timate contact between the hydrogen and oxygen, together with the
high pressure, that the time required for complete combustion
would be lower than with any other known explosive.

I have gone into this matter more at length than I in¬
tended, and have not used it directly as an example. In other
words, I attach great importance to the possibility of making ex¬
plosives in this way, as it seems to me it would be the cheapest
explosive known to man and the most easily manufactured, trans¬
ported and used in this present warfare.

By means of high pressure pipe-lines Bimilar to those
we use with natural gas large areaB of ground could be mined to
protect trenches or cities.

The example I want to draw is this-- we can get every
sort of material necessary for explosives, and it is simply a
question of cost.

It is barely possible that Germany is already Beriously

Page 8

Mr, Thomas A. Edii

embarrassed for lack of materials for explosives. While thiB ex¬
plosive, if it will do what X believe it will do, would save us a
great deal of money, it might actually save the situation for
Germany— and I am wondering if it is possible that some of your
work in connection with this war might prove of greater relative
benefit to Germany than to ourselves.

X think if we are going to make this war largely a cam¬
paign of air-ships it is unfortunate that we have been compelled
to give so much publicity to it.

It was the thought of how much more value relatively
Germany would seoure from an invention of this character, if it
will do what I think it will do, that impressed me with the need
of secrecy — and perhaps you are the only man who could properly
impress this thought on our government officials.

I will work on this specific invention as rapidly as I
can, but I fear I will not be able to devote much time to it. If
it proveB out to be of value, how should I go about it to enable
the Government to avail themselves of its value at the earliest

possible moment?

With kindest regards, I am,

Yours very truly,

KLD/F

June £8,1917

Sir 'Krnoet, author ford,

Kite-Curl ton Hotel, _

;.!adison.:Avo. and 4Gth at. ,

I! o» Yorh, •* /

Dear Sir:-

hr. Kdison would like to cell your
attention to tho orielooed copy of a lotter ho
has rocoivod from Hr.' Harry Morton, 3r.if-ado
Sipnallinf: School, Seaford, Suoso::, Knnlar.d,
in connection with tho photograph hr . Kdison .
rave you tho other day, ehoainp tho lamp with
lilrh shuttors.

Yours very triily.

Aosistant. to hr. ad Ison.

A/3ior;.

iSncloeiiro .

Juno £0,1917

Ellwood Ivins , Ksq . ,

. Onl: lane Station,

> Philadelphia, Pa.

Hy dear

I handod to Hr. Edison your
favor, of the £7th instant concorninp tho platinum
platod copper. He turned in his chair ana loo3:ec!
at me end said: "V.oll, if ho can do that, ho Is
a wonder" .

-hon I handed him tho pioco of copper
with tho platinum plating and he loolrod at it for
a lonp: tine and caia : "V.oll, that is a marvel" .
Ihcn ho said further, "toll Ivins ho has done a
wonderful thinr, and if ho could extend it so as
to plate coppor on both sides, and completely,
such as a coppor voceol, ho will be doinr a very
yroat thiny for tho arts".

Hr. Edison wishes to congratulate you
heartily on this achievement, and sands you his
hindcct retards, in ail of which I bon to join
most heartily.

You: s vory- truly.

Assistant to Hr. Edison.

A/3404.

1'lk id 16 ok-. CouUj ob: m y. jvklUi
S' taytt^Ujil'k VMf cite tCjj-^.jtynjtu&L
CuAM/r(&ai\ f* ~-fra,u&L- & / '/% 'k-fctptif-lui ^
^loicth^ ^u. e/jxuyu'al l /

Q^C-t 'yiOMfl'. r-fou*fUv- 7k-

o^/v * o|wJ Amxca ^ ttpfi-ucj fr/yJfckj

If/ ill MA'Syi/ >(/h ~n&M{ df/hacjl

d/i^O^A OsM- 'IcVUUJ-loj/. Htel-U'\ / kkl'te-
tfwAj. lk~cltf l&l<i\ 7tdl . ^-Miv ■I'Q kk ..
^uJrrl-ij bU-iU' <£/y$cJtr\ /■')''■ . civowfi « //Cy

Ctm-l-kdJ/il j*MM C'y Lt/ji )

^ ***
dco^ <s u*- I

Jane 29,1917.

Ur. J. 2. Barron,

Public Sorvico Corporation,
77 Hurray Stroct,

Elisabeth, il.J.

Poor Sir:-

I greatly appreciate your c our tee

in consenting to let mo havo 20 uetticoat i
aula tors for uso in oonneotion with my ox«e
meats for our Government.

aulatom
obliged
the oame
tal:e, 1
s.E being
woll of

Hill you kindly delivor thoeo 20 in¬
to the Bearer, and I should.be grealy
if you could jalBQ lot mo havo pins for
. 'In. order that thore shall bo no mis-
can identify those petticoat insulators
the same as wore shown to mo by iir. Cor
your Costing laboratories .

Inasmuch as thore may bo some breakage
i ? durin? l£e eourso of ray experiments, those
insulators. and pins should bo billed to me by your
Company. ‘ ^ *

Shanking you for your courtesy, I remain,
lours very truly, .

A/3404.

Juno 30,1917

Commar.dine Officer,

U. S. Aviation Corps,
Mincolu.lI.Y.

Dear Sir:-

fnis will introduce to you Ur. William
.Almqulst who hue boon in ray employ a number of
years. He has chargo of all our automobiles at
the laboratory, and- I huve always found him a
most trustworthy and able man, constantly seeking
to bnlargo his knowledge of the things pertaining
to his business.

ilr. Almquist dosires to utilize his two
weeks vacation in acquiring knowledge of aoroplcnor
and Goroplcno motors, and if it is within thd scope
of the regulations to perrait this, I should bo clad
if ho cun bo allowed the opportunity.

Yours v'ory truly.

a/3503.

Goneral Electric Co.,

Edison lamp Works,

Harrison, ii.J.

Attention Mr. II. B. Ropers :
ily dear Honry : ~ " “

Hr. Edison wonts to pet for his Govern¬
ment oxpcrinonts, half-dosen miniature lamps, tiplecs,
like tho 'sample. Clio filamont should bo straight or
bowod lil:o tho sanplo, but no.t tho little "3" filanonl
that is used in sono of the' small lamps. Che c&ndlo
power ie immaterial, so lohp as tho filamont bocomos
incandoecont. 1'or this special purpose ho wants to
havo a Ions lifo lump , ea it is poinr to bo used in
a place that trill bo very difficult of accose. Cho
voltapo is immaterial and nap bo anythin • betwoon two
and six volts. Othorwiso, tho lamps are to be like
sample, which plohBo return.

Kill you ploaec pat out a half-doccn lamps
for him as quickly as you possibly can, as they uro
neodod ripht away.

Of course, you will plour.o let mo know v.hat
voltapo tlio l.i.ips aro to bo usod upon so that we can
orram-e battorios accordingly.

Vourn very truly.

Assistant to i!r. Edison. .

Juno 30,1917.

Ellwood Ivins, Esq.,

Oak lane Station,

Philadelphia , Pa.

Hoar Ur. Ivins: /

I roccivod your favor of the 27 th
instant in reply to ny request for catalogue, and
fully understand why you aro uimblo at this -tlno
to iosuo a catalogue and pricoc. Ur. Edison has
also road your lottor and .appreciates fully hot;
matters stand just not: in rojrard to making wrices
at this tino. ' '

!'r. Edison is doeply gratified hy your
cordial offer of assistazieo in ouso he is in special
neod In hie Govornmont oxporiraonte , and ho wiohos
mo to assure you that ho will gladly avail himself
of your hind of for in ease of necessity, but knowing
how busy you aro, ho will only disturb your arrange¬
ments if It is actually nocossary.

Yours very truly.

Assistant to Ur.. Edison.

A/3493 ,

j~.r

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FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS

We thankfully acknowledge the vision and support of Rutgers University and the
Thomas A. Edison Papers Board of Sponsors.

This edition was made possible by grant funds provided from the New Jersey Historical
Commission, National Historical Publications and Records Commission, and The National
Endowment for the Humanities. Major underwriting has been provided by the Barkley Fund,
through the National Trust for the Humanities, and by The Charles Edison Foundation.

We are grateful for the generous support of the IEEE Foundation, the Hyde & Watson
Foundation, the Martinson Family Foundation, and the GE Foundation. We acknowledge gifts
from many other individuals, as well as an anonymous donor; the Association of Edison
Illuminating Companies; and the Edison Electric Institute. For the assistance of all these
organizations and individuals, as well as for the indispensable aid of archivists, librarians,
scholars, and collectors, the editors are most grateful.

BOARD OF SPONSORS (2007)

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey National Park Service

Richard L. McCormick Maryanne Gerbauckas

Ziva Galili Michelle Ortwein

Ann Fabian

Paul Clemens Smithsonian Institution

Harold Wallace

New Jersey Historical Commission
Marc Mappen

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2007)

Robert Friedel, University of Maryland
Louis Galambos, Johns Hopkins University
Susan Hockey, Oxford University
Thomas P. Hughes, University of Pennsylvania
Ronald Kline, Cornell University
Robert Rosenberg, John Wiley & Sons
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Philip Scranton, Rutgers University/Hagley Museum
Merritt Roe Smith, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

THOMAS A. EDISON PAPERS STAFF (2007)

Director and General Editor
Paul Israel

Senior Editor
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Associate Editors
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Assistant Editor
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Consulting Editor
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Visiting Editor
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Editorial Assistants
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Outreach and Development
(Edison Across the Curriculum)
Theresa Collins

Business Manager
Rachel Weissenburger

Thomas A. Edison Papers
at

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18 June 1981

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The original documents in this edition are from the archives at the Edison National
Historic Site at West Orange, New Jersey.

ISBN 978-0-88692-887-2

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A SELECTIVE MICROFILM EDITION
PARTY
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